Turkey has detained nine individuals, including the owner of the Grand Kartal Hotel, following a devastating fire that resulted in the deaths of 76 people and injured dozens at a ski resort in western Turkey. This tragic incident occurred on January 22, 2025, at the popular Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu mountains, drawing national attention and raising serious questions regarding safety measures at the hotel, as reported by Reuters.

The fire erupted around 3:30 a.m. local time, starting on the restaurant floor of the 12-storey hotel, which housed 238 registered guests during the peak winter tourism season. Survivors recounted harrowing tales of panic, claiming they had no warning from fire alarms, and struggled to escape through smoke-filled corridors. Many were forced to jump from windows to save their lives. "People all started to jump with panic. One friend jumped from the 11th floor," recounted a local employee, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya indicated that the bodies of 45 victims had been returned to their families, while DNA tests were ongoing for the remaining deceased. Authorities stated that 51 people were injured in the tragedy, which took approximately ten hours to extinguish due to the hotel's challenging location at the top of a steep slope. The hotel ownership has expressed deep sorrow and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the losses and want you to know that we share this pain with all our hearts," according to South China Morning Post.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism over the hotel's safety protocols, particularly after survivors reported that the fire detection system failed to activate, which could have worsened the tragedy. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a day of national mourning and emphasized that justice will be served for those responsible, stating, "Our pain is great... Those responsible will be held to account." International condolences have been shared from various leaders worldwide as Turkey copes with this profound loss.

As investigations continue, the government has appointed six prosecutors to look into the details surrounding the fire, aiming to ensure accountability and assess safety regulations across similar establishments.

For further information, refer to the full articles on Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.