In brief
A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, Turkey, erupted early in the morning, resulting in ten fatalities and 32 injuries. The incident, occurring at 3:27 AM local time, caused chaos among the 234 guests staying at the hotel during the busy holiday period. Eyewitness accounts describe desperate scenes as guests attempted to escape using makeshift ropes from bed linens. The fire reportedly began in the restaurant area on the fourth floor before sweeping through the upper levels. Fire response teams faced significant delays due to the remote location and harsh weather conditions, prompting an extensive rescue operation, which is still ongoing.
The fire's origin remains under investigation, as authorities seek to determine how so many were trapped. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin indicated that reports suggest some victims had to jump from the windows to escape the flames. Local ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan described the horrifying scene, stating that many guests shouted for help from their rooms, and rescue efforts pulled approximately 20-25 individuals to safety. In light of the tragedy, nearby hotels were evacuated as a precaution, reflecting the seriousness of the ongoing emergency response. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that prosecutors would oversee an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.
