Hotel Fire Claims 10 Lives at Turkish Ski Resort
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, Turkey, has resulted in 10 fatalities and 32 injuries, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed. Reports indicate that two victims died after jumping from windows to escape the blaze. The fire began at 3:27 AM local time in the hotel's fourth-floor restaurant area before spreading through the 12-story building. At the time, 234 guests stayed at the property during a busy school holiday. Emergency response faced significant challenges, with fire engines taking over an hour to reach the scene due to the hotel's remote location in Kartalkaya and freezing weather conditions, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin. Witnesses observed guests using bed linens to attempt escape from windows. A ski instructor, Necmi Kepcetutan, told NTV that his familiarity with the building helped him escape, while others struggled with the intense smoke. […]