A fireplace at a ski resort in northern Türkiye killed a minimum of 76 folks and injured dozens of others, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya mentioned on Tuesday.
Of the injured, a number of had been discharged from hospital whereas one stays in intensive care, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu mentioned.
The fireplace broke out at round 3.30 a.m. native time (0027GMT) within the restaurant space of the Kartalkaya ski resort resort, shortly engulfing the constructing, in response to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.
It was introduced underneath management after 10 hours of labor by firefighters, authorities advised Anadolu, whereas efforts to chill down the affected areas proceed.
Emergency groups from neighboring cities, together with firefighters, catastrophe response models, and medical groups supported by helicopters, had been dispatched to the scene.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc mentioned an investigation into the incident was launched by a workforce of six prosecutors, together with a five-member skilled committee.
Tunc acknowledged that 4 folks, together with the proprietor of the resort, had been detained as a part of the investigation. The investigations of the five-member skilled committee on the reason for the hearth are ongoing, and work is underway to find out the fault.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, talking at a press convention, mentioned the mandatory documentation and checks had been in place in opposition to a fireplace hazard. “The hotel has a certificate of fire safety issued by the fire department. This is already a mandate of the fire brigade. Regular checks have to be carried out by the fire brigade,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned on X that he was holding an in depth eye on occasions, and famous: “I wish Allah’s mercy to our citizens who lost their lives … and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.”
Later, talking at a gathering of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, Erdogan mentioned: “All necessary steps will and are being taken to clarify all aspects of the incident and hold those responsible to account.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a message on X, prolonged his condolences to the households of those that misplaced their lives, and wished a speedy restoration to these injured.
– More condolences
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif additionally expressed grief over the incident. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish nation, especially, the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this accident & pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and disaster administration, who’s at present on an official go to to Türkiye, expressed her “deepest” condolences to Türkiye and to the households of the victims. “The EU stands in solidarity & offers support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism,” she mentioned on X.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, mentioned on X: “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as a devastating fire engulfs the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu. We honor the incredible courage of the first responders battling the flames.”
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s help for Türkiye and its folks on this “tragedy.”
Offering condolences to the victims and their households, EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas mentioned on X: “We stand with Türkiye in this moment of sorrow.”
Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, additionally expressed sorrow on X, saying: “My ideas are with the family members of these perished.
“Grateful to the brave responders who are doing all they can on the ground to save lives.”
Metsola additionally wished a swift restoration to these wounded.” I sincerely sympathize with the immense grief over the loss of so many people and ask you to convey my condolences to the families of the victims.”
In an X put up, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, additionally provided condolences.
The fireplace is “is a stark reminder of the fragility of life,” Kluge mentioned, including: “Our hearts exit to the victims, their households & the responders who braved the flames.
“Mental well being help for survivors & grieving households have to be a precedence, alongside pressing measures to forestall such tragedies.
“On behalf of @WHO_Europe, I express my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Türkiye, and wish a swift recovery to those injured,” he mentioned.
Stating that he had an alternate with Fidan following the hearth, Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin mentioned on X: “On behalf of Belgium, I expressed my condolences for the loss of so many lives. Our thoughts are with the victims.”
Quintin mentioned that Belgium stands with Türkiye and the Turkish folks.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote on X: “On behalf of Greece, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a swift recovery to the injured.”
Albanian President Bajram Begaj additionally prolonged “heartfelt” condolences to the bereaved households and need the injured a swift restoration.
“Our thoughts are with President (Erdogan) and the Turkish people during this difficult time.”
Also expressing sorrow over the incident and increasing condolences to the households of the victims, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani mentioned on X: “We stand with the brave responders working tirelessly to save lots of lives and help these in want.
“We wish the injured a swift and full recovery. In this difficult time, our thoughts and solidarity are with President (Erdogan) and the people of Türkiye.”
For his half, Denis Zvizdic, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s parliament speaker, despatched a telegram to Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus which reads: “I extend my deepest condolences to you for the fire that occurred in the hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, in which 66 of your citizens died and over 50 were injured.”
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov despatched a telegram to his Turkish counterpart.
“On behalf of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, and I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery,” Japarov mentioned.
In a telegram to Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that they had been “deeply shocked” by the incident and provided his “deepest condolences.” Aliyev additionally wished a restoration to the wounded folks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin additionally prolonged his “deepest condolences,” in a telegram message to Erdogan, saying: “Please convey words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured.”
In a put up on X, the Georgian Foreign Ministry expressed “profound” disappointment over “the tragic fire,” and prolonged condolences to the victims’ households and the Turkish folks “during this difficult time.”
Meanwhile, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze additionally expressed sorrow over the “the devastating fire.” Extending his “full” help to Erdogan, Kobakhidze wrote on X: “Our heartfelt condolences go to the victims’ families.”
He added that Georgia stands “in solidarity with” the Turkish folks.
Kartalkaya in Bolu is considered one of Türkiye’s premier winter tourism locations, attracting 1000’s of tourists in the course of the ski season. The resort lies round 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul.
Source: www.anews.com.tr