Fire in a hotel in a ski resort in Turkey with 10 dead

A fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at a hotel in a ski resort in northwestern Turkey killed at least 10 people and left 32 others injured, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Gerlikaya said.

The fire started at 3:27 am. at the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the Kartalkaya resort about 170 kilometers northwest of Ankara. The wood-panelled hotel housed at least 230 people during a peak two-week school holiday period.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as visitors desperately tried to escape, with some trying to climb down from windows using ropes made from sheets. Media reports said some victims died after jumping from the building to escape the flames.

“I heard screams around midnight… residents were calling for help,” said Baris Salgur, a local hotel worker. “They asked for a blanket, saying they would jump… we did what we could, bringing rope, pillows, even a sofa. Some jumped as the flames got closer.”

The fire is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant and spread quickly, although the cause remains unclear. The building’s location, partially supported by a cliff, made firefighting efforts more difficult. Several ministers have since arrived at the scene and officials have confirmed that the fire has been contained.

Local media reported that at least three of the dead were among those who jumped from hotel windows. Footage from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, and the hotel lobby was in ruins, with charred furniture and broken glass strewn across the floor.

Photo: @theinformant on X

A survivor who managed to escape the flames told local media that there was no fire alarm when the fire started and complained about the lack of safety measures such as fire exits or smoke detectors.

“There were no alarms. There were no fire escapes,” the survivor said. “It was chaos.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to the victims of the fire, telling X: “I pray to God for mercy on our citizens who lost their lives in the fire. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured in this tragic accident. “

An investigation into the incident has been launched, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tundes confirming that six prosecutors have been assigned to the case. Authorities are concerned that the structure may be in danger of collapsing.

The injured have been shifted to nearby hotels and efforts to support the affected are ongoing. Authorities have warned the public of possible further deaths as rescue operations continue.