A catastrophic fire tore through the Grand Kartal Hotel in the popular ski resort of Kartalkaya, Turkey, early on Tuesday, killing at least 79 people and injuring 51 others. The incident occurred just as the winter holiday season began, when the hotel was operating at full capacity with 238 guests. Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of utter chaos as guests desperately tried to escape the flames and smoke.

The fire broke out around 3:27 a.m., initially reported in the restaurant area on the hotel’s fourth floor, and spread rapidly through the 12-storey structure. Eyewitnesses noted that many guests, forced by smoke and flames, attempted to leap from the windows. Desperate cries for help echoed, as individuals used bed linens in a futile effort to lower themselves to safety. “I saw people screaming and begging for help,” said Baris Salgur, an employee at a nearby hotel, adding that one father held a baby, shouting for help. Tragically, the baby is believed to have died due to smoke inhalation.

Despite the rapid response of emergency services, which began approximately an hour after the fire was reported, the hotel’s location on a steep cliff hampered rescue efforts. “People were panicking and jumping,” said a witness named Omer Sakrak, recounting the horror as guests fought for their lives amidst smoke-filled corridors. Atakan Yelkovan, another guest, expressed concerns over the absence of alarm systems, stating, “My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off.”

As the nation mourned, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning. “Our hearts are broken,” he lamented, attending several funerals for families severely impacted by the tragedy. Reports indicate that 11 individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained pending an investigation into the safety practices and potential negligence that failed to protect guests.

The government has appointed six prosecutors to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire, amidst growing scrutiny regarding the safety measures of the Grand Kartal Hotel, which had undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024 with no adverse reports noted.

The affected area, Kartalkaya, is known for its winter sports, drawing skiers from across Turkey, particularly during school holidays. Local authorities are working tirelessly to identify the remaining victims as family members await news of loved ones. The tragedy serves as a tragic reminder of the critical importance of fire safety in hospitality establishments.

For further details, refer to reports from Los Angeles Times, The Independent, and NPR.