Türkiye mourns victims of fatal Bolu hotel fire as efforts to identify them continue

In Türkiye, a day of mourning is being held for the 76 victims of the fire that devastated a popular ski resort hotel in the northwest of the country.

The fire broke out at the 12-storey wood-clad Grand Kartal hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period where 234 people were staying. It took 12 hours to turn off.

An investigation was launched into the incident and there have been conflicting reports about whether the hotel was meeting safety standards.

Nine people have been arrested, including the hotel owner.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is expected to visit Bolu on Wednesday, said those responsible for the negligence that caused the fire “will be held accountable.”

Flags are flying at half-mast throughout Türkiye in memory of the victims of the fire, while the first funerals are held.

Search and rescue teams are making their final efforts to find the remaining bodies.

In addition to the fatalities, 51 people were injured in the fire, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. One was receiving treatment in intensive care and 17 people have been discharged.

Images circulating in Türkiye showed clothes hanging from windows used by those trying to escape the burning building.

The cause of the fire has not yet been found, but Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin said initial reports suggested it had started in the hotel’s fourth-floor restaurant section and had spread to the upper floors.

The Bolu governor said the hotel’s remote location and icy conditions meant it took more than an hour for fire trucks to arrive.

The hotel was last inspected in 2024 and the Tourism Minister said there were no concerns about the hotel’s fire safety before Tuesday’s disaster.

However, the Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects of Turkey (TMMOB) stated that an automatic fire extinguishing system was required according to regulations and, according to photographs of the hotel, it was not installed.

He added that it was unclear whether other standards had been met, but based on statements from survivors, “it is understood that the detection and warning systems did not function and escape routes could not be determined.”

The Bolu Mountains are popular with skiers from Istanbul and Turkey’s capital Ankara, which is about 170 kilometers (105 miles) away, and the hotel was operating at high occupancy at the start of the two-week school holidays. weeks.

Data continues to emerge about the people who died in the fire, although some of the bodies have not yet been identified. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

Among the dead are many children and young people and, in many cases, several members of the same family have been murdered.

Turkish Airlines confirmed that Zehra Sena Gultekin She died with her husband, the businessman. Bilal Gültekin, and three children. The Boğaziçi Executives Foundation said two of Bilal’s brothers were also killed, while Turkish media reported that other family members had also died.

Dentist Dr. Burak Hasar announced that his 15-year-old colleague, Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tüzgirayher husband Dr. Erhan Tüzgiray, and his children Bay and Iron everyone had died.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives of one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, were killed. They are the CEO of the company. Can Tokcanhis brother Atil Enis Tokcanand his children Kemal and Atlas Kaan.

Tarsus American College announced the death of its graduates Mert Doganhis wife Feelingand his children Blue and dog, as well as the grandson of another graduate Ömür Kotan.

İELEV school association announced the death of students Pelin Gungorhis mother zodiac signfather Pride and brother Kerem. Eslem UyanikA young chef at the hotel also died.

Prof. Dr. Atakan Yalçınwho worked at the Business Faculty of Özyeğin University, and his daughter Elif Derinboth died.

Turkmen Nedimeditor of the Sozcu newspaper, his wife Ayse Nevaand his two children, 18 years old. Dora Wing and 22 years Great AncestorThey were all murdered.

TED Istanbul College announced the deaths of students Alican Boduroğlu, his sister Elif Nasas well as his mother marbled.

TED Ankara College shared the news of the death of Eren Bagci on their social media accounts.

Dilara ErmanogluShe, 24, was also among the victims, and her father, who had gone to look for her in Bolu, was treated by health workers for a heart attack.

They meet Nil Apak.Also killed, along with her mother, a 10-year-old swimmer from Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe sports club. Ferda.

The club management also said that Ceren Yaman Doganthe wife of the vice president of his Bolu association, and his 17-year-old daughter moon, They were killed. Ceren was also the daughter of a well-known local businessman.

Mehmet Cem Dogan, The director of the OYAK cement factory in Bolu died, as did his wife. Ayşemin Elif and daughter Ayşe Maya.

The Turkish Neurology Association said its member, Dr. Ahmet Çetiz, He was murdered along with his family.