A fire at a popular ski resort hotel in Turkey has killed at least 66 people, Turkey‘s interior minister said.
At least two people died after trying to jump to safety, with images on social media showing linen hanging from windows which was used by those trying to escape the burning building.
Ali Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people were injured in the disaster. Four people, including the owner, have been arrested.
“We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel,” Mr Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site.
Turkish Health minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in a serious condition.
The fire broke out at around 3.30am in the restaurant of the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, officials and reports said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Part of the 161-room hotel is on the side of a cliff, hampering efforts to combat the flames.
“Because the rear side is on a slope, intervention could only be made from the front and sides,” Mr Yerlikaya confirmed.
Tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters that the hotel underwent inspections in 2021 and 2024 and that “no negative situation regarding fire competence” was reported by the fire department.
Other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution and guests were placed in hotels around Bolu.
