Arrests made after fire in Turkish ski resort hotel | BBC News

A devastating fire at a hotel in a popular Turkish ski resort has resulted in the tragic deaths of 66 people and left 51 others injured. Authorities have detained four individuals, including the hotel owner, as investigations into the incident unfold. The blaze erupted in the early hours of the morning, reportedly starting in the restaurant located on the fourth floor of the building.

The hotel, situated in the Bolu Mountains approximately 100 miles northwest of Ankara, was hosting 234 guests who were on holiday for the school break. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic and terrifying scene as flames rapidly engulfed the structure. Survivors recounted moments of sheer panic, with some resorting to tying bed linens together in a desperate attempt to escape the inferno.

Local media reports indicate that two individuals tragically lost their lives while attempting to jump from windows in a bid to flee the flames. A ski instructor familiar with the hotel managed to help 20 to 25 guests escape, but many were not aware of the fire exits and became trapped. Survivors reported that the fire alarm did not activate until it was too late, further complicating their efforts to escape.

The remote location of the hotel posed challenges for emergency responders, with fire engines taking approximately an hour to arrive at the scene due to narrow roads and harsh winter conditions. It took firefighters around 12 hours to fully extinguish the blaze, highlighting the scale of the fire.

In the aftermath, the rescued guests have been relocated to a nearby hotel, while an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading to the high number of fatalities. As of now, the Turkish authorities have not released details regarding the nationalities of the deceased or the injured, leaving families and friends of those in the area anxiously awaiting news.

This tragic incident underscores the importance of fire safety measures in hotels, particularly in remote areas where swift evacuation may be hindered. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of this catastrophic event.

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