Turkey has arrested nine individuals as part of an investigation into a deadly fire that claimed the lives of 76 people and left many others injured at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains, according to authorities.
On Wednesday, several funerals were held for the victims, including many children, who perished in the blaze on Tuesday. The fire caused hotel guests to panic, with some jumping from windows in the middle of the night.
"Our hearts are heavy, and we are doing everything we can to fulfill our duty," President Tayyip Erdogan said at one of the funerals for eight victims in Bolu, a western Turkish city. "I pray for patience for the families and our nation." Authorities confirmed that the bodies of 45 victims had been returned to their families, while forensic DNA tests were being conducted to identify the remaining deceased.
The fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, a 12-story building with 238 registered guests. Flames erupted on the restaurant floor at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time (7:30 p.m. ET Monday).
There has been increasing criticism directed at authorities over the hotel’s safety protocols, as survivors reported that no fire alarms were sounded during the incident. Guests recalled navigating smoke-filled hallways in complete darkness, with many describing chaotic scenes as they fled.
The hotel has vowed to fully cooperate with the investigation and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
At one funeral in Ankara, a family of five was mourned at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki mosque. The parents, a doctor and a teacher, had traveled to Kartalkaya with their three children for a mid-year ski break, according to a Reuters witness. Local media reports indicate that at least 20 children were among the victims.
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