Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel Kills 79 and Injures 51

The blaze at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu spread rapidly, raising concerns over safety measures and prompting a national mourning day.

The fire broke out early Tuesday morning in the restaurant section of the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel and quickly spread, reportedly fueled by wooden cladding on the building's exterior.
Survivors reported no fire alarms or visible fire escapes, forcing many to navigate smoke-filled corridors in darkness or jump from windows to escape.
Authorities have detained 11 individuals, including the hotel owner, a deputy mayor, and the acting fire chief, as investigations into the cause and safety compliance continue.
The tragedy occurred during a peak winter tourism period, with 238 registered guests at the hotel, including many families and children; at least 20 children were among the deceased.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended funerals for victims and declared a national day of mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast across Turkey.