Another disaster in Turkey

January 22 is a day of national mourning in Turkey. The national flag will be flown at half-mast across the country and at Turkish embassies worldwide.  

This somber occasion is in response to a devastating fire on January 21 that has, according to the latest reports, claimed approximately 80 lives.  

The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of January 21 at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, located in Turkey's Bolu region. At the time of the incident, 238 guests were registered at the hotel.  

The fire erupted around 3:00 AM local time in the 12-story wooden hotel and rapidly consumed the entire structure. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze originated in the hotel's restaurant area. Emergency services evacuated the guests, who were subsequently accommodated in four nearby hotels within the resort.  

An employee of the "Grand Kartal" hotel, where the fire occurred, shared harrowing details of the disaster. According to the employee, the hotel lacked its own fire engines and ambulances to combat the inferno.  

"Everyone was jumping out of the windows—young and old alike. A child died in his father's arms. There was so much negligence. The fire escape was poorly designed, located inside the wooden hotel, which is highly illogical. A small spark was enough to ignite the entire structure. The fire started in the restaurant, and the hotel being completely made of wood only worsened the situation. The fact that the hotel lacked its own fire engine and ambulance is another serious issue. It was a fully booked, so-called all-inclusive hotel," the employee recounted.  

The Kartalkaya ski resort, situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level in the Köroğlu mountain range, is one of Turkey's premier winter destinations. On the day of the fire, the hotel was operating at 80-90% capacity due to a surge in visitors during students' vacation period.  

Emergency services, including fire brigades and rescue teams, arrived promptly after the fire was reported.  

Regional Governor Abdulaziz Aydin announced during a televised statement that the casualties included local residents. Initial reports confirmed six fatalities and 31 injuries. The public prosecutor launched an investigation into the incident.  

Later, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya updated the death toll to 66, with 51 individuals injured. Authorities detained four individuals, including the hotel owner, as part of the ongoing investigation.  

Videos circulating on social media captured harrowing scenes of the blaze. Flames engulfed the building's upper floors as desperate guests called for help. Survivors alleged a complete lack of fire safety measures in the hotel—no emergency exits, fire extinguishers, or smoke detectors. Local media reported that at least two individuals died after jumping from windows in an attempt to escape. Others were seen tying bed sheets together to create makeshift ropes for evacuation.  

Ski instructor Nejmi Kepcetutan recounted his escape during a televised interview. Familiarity with the hotel’s layout, he said, was crucial to his survival. "There was thick smoke inside. People were shouting from the windows for help. We managed to rescue 20-25 people," Kepcetutan said.  

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to take all necessary measures to ensure those responsible for the devastating hotel fire are brought to justice.  

"Regardless of the circumstances, those responsible for this tragedy, whether through negligence or direct fault, will face the law. Today is not a day for politics but a day for solidarity and unity. We call on everyone, including political figures, the media, and local authorities, to honor the memory of our fallen citizens," Erdogan stated.  

Following a Cabinet meeting on January 21, President Erdogan addressed the nation and declared January 22 a national day of mourning in response to the tragedy. He ordered flags to be flown at half-mast across the country and abroad until sunset on Wednesday, January 22.  

"This day is a time for unity and solidarity, not division," Erdogan emphasized.  

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Istanbul confirmed that no Uzbek nationals were injured in the fire. Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, extended his condolences to President Erdogan and the Turkish people. In his message, Mirziyoyev expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and wished patience and strength to the bereaved families, along with a speedy recovery for the injured.  

As of the latest reports, the death toll from the fire has risen to 76, while the cause of the blaze remains undetermined. Turkey's Minister of Justice, Yılmaz Tunç, announced that the prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation. The number of arrests connected to the incident has increased to nine.