Turkey Hotel Fire Death Toll Climbs to 78 as Investigation Reveals Shocking Safety Lapses

The devastating fire that engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel in northern Turkey on Tuesday has claimed 78 lives, as investigators uncover alarming failures in fire safety measures, Bloomberg reports, citing a local newspaper.

The 12-story hotel, located in the popular ski resort area of Bolu province, lacked basic fire prevention systems and proper emergency exits, contributing to the high death toll.

According to a report in Hurriyet newspaper, the Grand Kartal was not equipped with fire sprinklers, and its alarm system and smoke sensors were non-functional. The report, which did not specify its source of information, further revealed that the hotel’s two emergency stairways, both located within the building, became engulfed in flames due to the absence of fire-resistant doors. This critical lapse left many guests trapped, unable to escape safely, leading some to desperate measures, jumping from the building to avoid the inferno.

Adding to the tragedy, authorities confirmed that there was no fire station located in the immediate vicinity of the ski resort, a popular winter destination between Istanbul and Ankara. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that firefighters were unable to reach the scene until approximately 45 minutes after the fire was reported.

The death toll has reached 78 after the identification of victims was completed, according to broadcaster NTV on Thursday. As a result of the disaster, eleven people have been arrested, including a deputy mayor and fire marshal from the Bolu Municipality.

The incident has sparked a political blame game, with Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy accusing the opposition-led Bolu Municipality of neglecting to inspect the hotel’s fire safety standards. In a televised response late Wednesday, Mayor Tanju Ozcan defended his administration, saying that the Ministry is responsible for overseeing inspections within the ski resort area.