Turkey ski resort fire latest: 66 killed in blaze at 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu – UK Times

In an address in Ankara, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: “Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel.” “All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable,” he added.

Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building.

He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel.

He said the hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to find the fire escape.

“I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK,” the ski instructor told the station.

A fire at a popular ski resort hotel in Turkey has killed at least 66 people, Turkey‘s interior minister said.

Ali Yerlikaya said at least 51 other people were injured in the disaster.

“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.

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.

Two of the victims died after jumping from the building in a panic, Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Private NTV television said some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.

There were 234 guests staying at the hotel, Aydin said.