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A devastating hotel fire in a ski resort located in Bolu, Turkey, has resulted in the deaths of 78 individuals, prompting authorities to take immediate action. Nineteen people, including the hotel owner, the manager, the local fire chief, and the deputy mayor of Bolu, have been placed in custody. A staff member from an inspection company is also being sought by authorities. The fire erupted on January 22 at a ski hotel that housed over 230 guests. Many victims attempted to escape by tying bedsheets together or jumping from windows, but tragically, many could not escape the flames. The incident has sparked widespread outrage due to alleged neglect of fire safety measures. In the aftermath of the tragedy, there has been a blame game between the Turkish central government and the opposition-led municipality of Bolu. The country has a concerning history regarding building safety standards, as evidenced by a recent building collapse in Konya, which resulted in two fatalities. In 2022, a nightclub fire in Istanbul claimed 29 lives, further highlighting ongoing safety issues in Turkey.

A devastating fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey, resulting in the deaths of at least 76 people. The blaze, believed to have originated in the hotel's restaurant area, also left over 50 individuals injured, with some in critical condition, according to officials. The fire erupted around 3:27 AM local time during the winter school holiday, causing chaos among the 238 registered guests. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic, as many attempted to escape the flames, with some resorting to jumping from the building. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that 45 of the deceased have been identified, while search efforts continue for the remaining victims. The government has appointed six prosecutors to spearhead an investigation into the incident, and nine individuals, including the hotel's owner, have been detained for questioning. In response to the tragedy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning and directed that flags at government buildings be flown at half-staff. Investigators are probing potential failures in the hotel's fire safety systems, as witnesses reported the fire alarm did not activate during the emergency. The incident has raised questions about compliance with fire safety standards, despite previous inspections reporting no issues. As investigations continue, neighboring hotels were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

A severe fire swept through a 12-storey hotel at the Grand Kartal ski resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 66 people. The tragic incident occurred during a school holiday when the hotel was bustling with guests. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the blaze broke out around 3:27 a.m., with firefighters arriving on the scene approximately 45 minutes later. Among the casualties, two victims perished after jumping from the building in desperation to escape the flames. Additionally, more than 51 individuals suffered injuries, with at least one categorized as in serious condition. Guest Atakan Yelkovan recounted scenes of chaos as many tried to flee, with some attempting to lower themselves from upper floors using sheets. He reported that the hotel’s fire alarm system failed to activate, which compounded the dangers faced by those inside. The Turkish government has initiated an investigation, appointing six prosecutors to examine the fire's cause, which is suspected to have started in the hotel’s restaurant. Four individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained for questioning. In a statement, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Meanwhile, precautions have been enacted to evacuate other hotels in the vicinity. Global Affairs Canada has stated that no Canadians are reported among the victims.