Death Toll from Hotel Fire in Turkey Reaches 76

SEAToday.com, Moscow – The death toll from a fire that engulfed the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu Province, Turkey, has now risen to 76, according to a statement by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Tuesday (1/21).

The fire broke out early Tuesday morning and destroyed a building at the resort. Some guests attempted to escape by tying bedsheets together to flee from the flames.

Earlier the same day, Yerlikaya reported that the number of fatalities had reached 66. However, the figure was later updated to 76. "A total of 76 people have died as a result of the fire at the Kartalkaya resort," he told the media.

As part of the investigation, nine people have been detained, including the resort owner.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who visited the scene, stated that the hotel had undergone inspections between 2021 and 2024 and was deemed to meet fire safety standards.

Ersoy added that no violations related to fire safety were found during previous inspections.