The death toll from the devastating fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort in Turkey’s Bolu province (northwest) stands at 76, with nine people arrested in connection with the disaster, it was announced on Tuesday the Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya.
ANKARA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) — Death toll from devastating fire at Turkey’s Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Bolu province rises to 76, with nine people arrested in connection with the disaster, announced Tuesday the Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, he confirmed that search and rescue operations at the site had now concluded.
“Unfortunately, the number of lives lost has risen to 76. Our teams have completed their search efforts and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, quickly spread through the 12-story wooden hotel. Initial investigations suggest the fire started in the restaurant area on the fourth floor before spreading to the upper levels.
-Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.
The hotel accommodated 238 guests during the peak holiday season.
Kartalkaya is a popular ski resort located in the Koroglu Mountains, approximately 300 km east of Istanbul.
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