Turkey is mourning the victims of the deadly Bolu hotel fire as efforts to identify them continue

A day of mourning has been announced in Turkey for the 76 victims of a fire that engulfed a popular hotel in a ski resort in the north-west of the country.

The fire broke out in the 12-story wooden Grand Kartal Hotel in Bol at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during the busy holiday season when 234 people were staying there. It took 12 hours to extinguish.

An investigation was launched into the incident, and there were conflicting reports about whether the motel met safety standards.

Nine people were arrested, including the owner of the hotel.

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

Across Turkey, flags are flying at half-mast in memory of the victims of the fire as the first funerals take place.

Search and rescue teams are making last-ditch efforts to find the remains of the bodies.

According to Health Minister Kemal Memisaglu, in addition to the dead, 51 people were injured in the fire. One was being treated in the intensive care unit, 17 people were discharged.

Footage circulating in Turkey shows laundry hanging from windows used by those trying to escape from the burning building.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin said initial reports said the fire broke out in the restaurant area of ​​the fourth floor of the hotel and spread to the floors above.

Governor Bolu said the hotel’s remote location and freezing temperatures meant it took more than an hour for fire engines to arrive.

The hotel was last inspected in 2024 and the tourism minister said there had been no concerns about the hotel’s fire safety before Tuesday’s disaster.

However, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said that an automatic fire extinguishing system was required by regulations, and photos of the hotel showed that one was not installed.

It added that it was unclear whether other rules were followed, but based on statements from survivors, “it is clear that detection and warning systems failed and evacuation routes could not be determined.”

The Bolu Mountains are popular with skiers from Istanbul and the Turkish capital, Ankara, which is about 170 km (105 miles) away, and the resort was busy at the start of the two-week school holidays.

Deaths from the fire continue to be reported, although some bodies have yet to be identified. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

Among the dead are many children and young people, in many cases several members of the same family were killed.

Turkish Airlines confirmed this Zehra Sena Gultekin died together with her businessman husband Bilal Gultekin, and three children. Boğaziçi Foundation executives said two of Bilal’s siblings were also killed, while Turkish media reported that other family members also died.

Dentist Dr. Burak Khasar announced that his 15-year-old colleague, Dr. Yasemen Bonchuk Tyuzgiraiher husband Dr. Erkhan Tuzgirai, and their children bay and Iron all died.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives of one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, had been killed. They are the CEO of the company Maybe Tokkanhis brother Atil Ennis Takkanand their children Kemal and Atlas Kaan.

The American College of Tarsus has announced the death of its graduates Mert Doganhis wife Feelingand their children Blue and Dogan, as well as the grandson of another graduate Omur Cotton.

Association of İELEV schools reported the death of students Wormwood Gungorher mother zodiac signfather Honor and a brother Kerem. Eslem Uyanikthe hotel’s young chef also died.

Professor Dr. Atakan Yalchynwho worked at the Faculty of Business, University of Eziegin, and his daughter Elif Derinboth died.

Nedim Turkmenthe writer of Sozcu newspaper, his wife Ayshe Nevaand their two children, 18 years old Dora Wing and a 22-year-old Great ancestorall were killed.

Istanbul’s TED College announced the death of the students Alican Boduroglu, his sister Elif Nasas well as their mother marbling.

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

Dilar ErmanogluA 24-year-old woman was also among the victims, and her father, who went to Bola to look for her, was treated by paramedics for a heart attack.

They know Neil ApakA 10-year-old swimmer from the Istanbul Fenerbahçe club also died along with her mother. Ferda.

This was reported by the club’s management Ceren Yaman Doganthe wife of the vice president of the Bolu association and their 17-year-old daughter moon, were killed. Serene was also the daughter of a prominent local businessman.

Mehmet Cem Dogan, director of the Bolu cement plant for the production of OYAK, died, as did his wife Ayshemin Elif and a daughter Ayshe Maya.

The Turkish Association of Neurology said that its member Dr. Ahmet Çetiz, was killed together with his family.