Turkey is mourning the loss of 76 lives, including children and entire families, after a devastating fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu’s northwestern mountains. The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday at the popular ski resort, occurred during the peak of a holiday season, with 234 guests staying in the 12-story wooden-clad building.
Firefighters battled the inferno for 12 hours in freezing conditions, delayed by the hotel’s remote location. As rescue teams conclude their operations, the grim task of identifying victims continues. Flags are flying at half-mast across the country, and the first funerals are underway as Turkey grapples with one of its deadliest fires in recent years.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, but initial reports suggest it started in the restaurant on the fourth floor and rapidly spread upward. Survivors report a lack of functioning fire alarms and unclear escape routes, with some resorting to jumping from windows or using linen to escape. Authorities have launched an investigation, and nine people, including the hotel’s owner, have been arrested.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visiting the site on Wednesday, vowed accountability for any negligence. However, questions linger over the hotel’s compliance with safety regulations. Although last inspected in 2024 with no reported issues, experts from the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) highlighted the absence of an automatic fire extinguisher system and other potential violations.
Among the victims were prominent individuals and families, including Turkish Airlines employee Zehra Sena Gültekin, her husband Bilal, and their three children. The Gültekin family suffered a profound loss, with over ten members confirmed dead. Medical professionals, such as Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tüzgiray and her family, as well as business executives from Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, also perished.
Students and young athletes were tragically affected, including 10-year-old swimmer Vedia Nil Apak and her mother, as well as numerous students from prestigious schools like TED Istanbul and Ankara Colleges.
Heartbreaking stories continue to emerge, including that of Dilara Ermanoglu, 24, whose father suffered a heart attack while searching for her. Families of victims are left grappling with immense grief as rescue workers finalize identifications.
As investigations proceed, this tragedy raises urgent concerns about fire safety measures in public accommodations, leaving a nation mourning its profound loss and seeking justice.
