Turkey News

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.

In a remarkable archaeological discovery, experts in Turkey have unearthed approximately 2,000 fragments of bronze statues believed to have been sorted in an ancient scrapyard. The site, located within the ruins of the city of Metropolis, near modern-day Izmir, provides insight into the recycling practices of the Late Antiquity period. The fragments include a variety of body parts such as hands, feet, and even eyeballs. Archaeologist Serdar Aybek, leading the Heritage to the Future Project funded by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, described the discovery as “extraordinary.” He emphasized the significance of the site as a location where broken bronze statues were likely dismantled for reuse, possibly to be melted down to mint coins. The artifacts range from Hellenistic to Roman styles, indicating a diverse history of sculpture production in the region. As the late antiquity era transitioned away from polytheistic beliefs to monotheism, many bronze idols lost their spiritual significance, leading to their repurposing. Aybek theorizes that the majority of these pieces could have been intended for recycling in the city's robust bronze statue trade. This find sheds light on the economic practices of the time and adds a new layer of understanding to the cultural shift influencing material use in ancient societies.

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.

A tragic fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey, has resulted in at least 76 fatalities and injured 51 others. The blaze erupted around 3:30 AM local time in the hotel's restaurant, where more than 230 guests were staying. Eyewitness reports indicate that some guests jumped from windows to escape the flames. Four individuals, including the hotel owner, have been arrested following the incident as authorities investigate the cause of the fire. The Turkish Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that of the injured, one is in serious condition while 17 others have since been discharged from hospitals. Guests reported hearing no fire alarms, and firefighting teams faced challenges reaching the hotel, which is situated on a cliff. Witness Atakan Yelkovan described the chaos as guests attempted to escape, some using sheets to descend. Emergency services dispatched 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances to the scene, and other hotels in the area were evacuated as a precaution. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to ensure a thorough investigation and accountability for the disaster. The hotel had passed a fire inspection last year, raising questions about safety standards, particularly regarding the wooden cladding that may have facilitated the fire's spread.

The tragic fire at a ski hotel in Turkey has resulted in a confirmed death toll of 66, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The blaze broke out overnight in the twelve-story hotel located in the popular winter sports destination of Kartalkaya, in the northwestern part of the country. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to uncover more victims. This devastating incident has shocked the nation and raised concerns about safety measures in tourist accommodations.

A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Turkish ski resort of Bolu has resulted in the deaths of ten people and injuries to 32 others, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The blaze, which broke out at approximately 03:27 local time, occurred during a busy holiday period when the hotel had 234 guests. Initial reports indicate that the fire started in the restaurant area on the fourth floor and rapidly spread to the upper floors. Eyewitness accounts revealed that some guests, faced with intense smoke, resorted to jumping from windows to escape the flames. Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin reported that efforts to combat the fire were hampered by the hotel's distance from the town center and freezing weather, which delayed the arrival of fire services by over an hour. As a precaution, nearby hotels were evacuated. Rescue operations continued through the morning, with 267 emergency personnel mobilized to the scene. The circumstances that led to the outbreak of the fire are still under investigation, and prosecutors have been assigned to look into the incident. Local ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan described the harrowing scenes, stating that he helped rescue approximately 20 to 25 people. The Bolu mountains are a popular destination for skiers, especially during the current two-week school holidays.

A five-month-old gorilla, named Zeytin, was recently rescued from the cargo hold of a Turkish Airlines plane and is recovering at Polonezkoy Zoo near Istanbul. The young gorilla was found in a box at Istanbul Airport during a customs check, as he was being transported illegally from Nigeria to Thailand. Following his rescue, Zeytin was taken to the zoo to recover from the traumatic journey. Fahrettin Ulu, the regional director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, expressed hopes that the baby gorilla could eventually be returned to his natural habitat. "What we want and desire is for the baby gorilla to continue its life in its homeland," he stated. Veterinarian Gulfem Esmen reported Zeytin's progress, noting he has become more playful and less shy since his arrival at the zoo. Both the western and eastern gorilla species are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, highlighting the ongoing issue of illegal wildlife trafficking. Istanbul has emerged as a key air hub, leading to increased interceptions of trafficked animals, with notable recent finds including 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards in an Egyptian passenger's luggage at Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

In a decisive statement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan ruled out any involvement of French troops in Syria, emphasizing that the United States remains Turkey's sole interlocutor in the region. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on January 10, 2025, Fidan accused France of disregarding Turkey’s security concerns and urged the country to repatriate its jihadist nationals currently held in Syria. Fidan's remarks come amid rising tensions as Turkey contemplates military action against Kurdish fighters, specifically the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played a crucial role in defeating ISIS in 2019. While Western nations, including the US and France, are keen to prevent Turkey from intensifying its offensive against the SDF, Turkey views the Kurdish forces as a significant threat due to their connections with the PKK, a group classified as terrorist in Turkey. “The US is our only interlocutor,” Fidan stated, dismissing any potential deployments of French or additional foreign troops to the region. He added that Turkey possesses the strength and determination to neutralize threats to its safety independently. The SDF currently manages multiple prisons in northeastern Syria housing thousands of jihadists, including several French nationals. Fidan criticized France for not taking responsibility for its citizens, asserting that it ignored Turkey's security issues entirely. He reiterated, “What France should do is take back its own citizens, bring them to its own prisons and judge them,” advocating for direct action over reliance on the SDF to manage foreign fighters. Fidan's comments highlight the ongoing complexities in the region as Turkey seeks to ensure stability while managing external perceptions of its military actions.

The year 2024 has officially been declared the warmest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding the crucial 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time. A report from major climate monitoring organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization and NASA, confirmed that the average global temperature reached 15.10°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. Leading climate scientists have emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, stating, "The future is in our hands," as they urge for swift action to mitigate further warming. The recently released data indicates a concerning trend, with every year since 2015 ranking among the ten warmest years recorded. This new record not only reflects recent measurements but also suggests a dramatic rise in temperatures not seen in thousands of years, potentially dating back at least 11,000 years according to paleoclimatological studies. The significant temperature increase is linked to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use, and current emissions levels show no sign of decreasing. The data also revealed that 2024 witnessed unprecedented atmospheric conditions, including record levels of water vapor, leading to extreme weather events around the globe. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported a worrying rise in thermal stress, affecting a substantial portion of the planet's surface. Despite efforts to stabilize the climate, existing commitments to reduce emissions are inadequate, warning that the world may exceed the Paris Agreement's safety threshold of 2°C by the century's end. Meteorologists, while acknowledging these alarming trends, also suggest that with renewed commitment and policy changes, there is still hope for limiting future temperature increases.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday that Syria's new leadership is committed to eliminating separatists within its borders. This statement follows military actions by Turkey, which reported the "neutralization" of 32 members of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), a group deemed as terrorists by Ankara. The region has experienced increasing tensions since a rebellion by groups affiliated with Turkey resulted in the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad last month. In the aftermath, Turkey-backed Syrian forces have faced off against U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in the north. The situation continues to develop as both parties navigate the complex and shifting dynamics of power in the region.