At least 76 people, including children and well-known residents, have died in a horrific hotel fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu district of Turkey. During the busy holiday season, when 234 guests were sleeping at the 12-story hotel covered in wood, the fire started early in the morning. Some survivors of the tragedy have horrifying memories of attempting to flee the flames by jumping out of windows.
The fire started on a chilly winter night at 03:27 local time. As rescue efforts proceeded through the night, the number of fatalities rapidly increased from the first reports of ten. Many of the dead were discovered in their apartments, unable to flee, and it became evident within hours that the death toll had risen to 76. One of the deadliest tragedies to hit Turkey in recent memory is the hotel fire.
In the midst of panic and desperation, what transpired during the rescue efforts?
“It was frightful. According to a hotel ski instructor, “people were frantically trying to escape, and some had to jump out of the windows to save themselves.” When the fire started, the teacher was on the second story of the hotel and escaped through the ski room. Later on, he contributed to relief efforts.
Witnesses detailed the mayhem that broke out as visitors attempted to leave the structure. Several persons were said to have died as a result of jumping out of windows to escape the flames during the panic. According to one witness, “I saw people hanging from the windows, using linen to climb down,” “It was heartbreaking to watch.”
It took an incredible twelve hours to put out the fire. 267 workers were dispatched by emergency services to the scene, but it took more than an hour for fire engines to arrive due to the hotel’s remote position in Kartalkaya and the bitterly cold weather.
What happened to the victims' families and who were the victims?
Notable people were among the victims, including the verified deaths of a young swimmer named Vedia Nil Apak and her mother, Ferda. At the age of ten, Vedia had been a part of Istanbul’s Fenerbahce Sports Club. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Vedia Nil Apak’s passing,” the club wrote in an Instagram statement. Her family is in our thoughts.
Other names have also been confirmed. Eslem Uyanik, a chef at the hotel, perished in the blaze, as did Ceren Yaman Dogan, the daughter of a prominent local businessman, and her 17-year-old daughter Lalin. Additionally, Nedim Turkmen, a writer for Sozcu newspaper, his wife Ayse Neva, and their two children aged 18 and 22 were also among the dead. Professor Atakan Yalcin, the dean of Ozyegin University’s Business School, was also killed.
The tragedy extended to family members who had lost loved ones in the fire. Dilara Ermanoglu, 24, was among the victims. Her father, who had rushed to Bolu to search for her, was treated for a heart attack following the news of her death.
What Were the Survival Stories of the Injured Individuals?
One individual is presently in critical care after the fire injured at least 51 others. After undergoing treatment for less severe injuries, 17 additional people were released. The number of injuries was confirmed by Turkish Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, who also mentioned that the health of those undergoing treatment was being closely watched.
Survivors who saw the destruction personally began to share their accounts after the fire. “People were confused, panicked, and struggling to get out,” one survivor described. “The fire spread so fast, and the smoke was suffocating.”
What is known about the fire investigation and who is responsible for it?
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. According to preliminary accounts, the fire began on the fourth floor of the hotel’s restaurant area and swiftly spread to the upper floors. The frigid conditions and the distance from the fire engines caused a wait of more than an hour before fire services could reach, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.
A hotel employee who was able to save 30 to 35 people claimed, “The hotel had two fire escapes, but survivors have said that the warning systems did not work and the escape routes were unclear.” “As the fire spread, people were trapped inside.”
Only the previous year, in 2024, had the hotel undergone an inspection, and at that time, there had been no issues with its fire safety. But according to the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the hotel lacked the legally mandated automated fire suppression systems. “In photos from the hotel’s website, it is clear that the automatic sprinkler system, which was meant to be installed in 2008, was never put in place,” the labor organization stated in a statement.
The union went on to say, “Many people were trapped in their rooms due to confusion caused by the malfunctioning fire detection and warning systems.”
What Steps Are Being Taken by the Government in Response to the Tragedy?
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, promised the public after the tragedy that those who were negligent in causing the catastrophe would be held accountable. “We will make sure that those who are responsible for this negligence face the consequences of their actions,” Erdogan said.
A national day of mourning has been established in Turkey, and the Turkish flag will be flown at half-mast until sunset on Wednesday. The nation’s sorrow and solidarity with those impacted by the tragedy were conveyed by the president in his message.
What Are the Thoughts on the Disaster and How Did the Tragedy Impact the Community?
Over the two weeks of the school holiday, people had been visiting the Bolu mountains, which are well-liked by skiers from Istanbul and Ankara. A popular hotel in the neighborhood, the Grand Kartal Hotel had a high occupancy rate.
A former British ambassador to Turkey, who had previously visited the region, said he was saddened. He remarked, “The fire feels very personal,” “The fact that so many people have lost their lives is just devastating news for those of us who care about Turkey.”
As investigations continue and the country mourns the tragic loss of life, the memories of the survivors and the families of the victims will remain forever marked by this horrific disaster. The Turkish hotel fire is a painful reminder of the need for stricter safety measures and oversight to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.