Fire at Turkish ski resort kills at least 66 people, injures 51 more: Officials
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç said in a series of Facebook posts that the deadly fire has deeply saddened community members.
At least 66 people were killed, and 51 people were injured when a fire spread through a Turkish ski resort, according to Reuters citing local officials.
The fire broke out at the Kartal Hotel in Bolu, according to local officials.
Someone called first responders for help around 3:27 a.m., said Turkey’s Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya in a Facebook post. Yerlikaya continued to update community members on social media as the death toll rose, later adding that about 267 workers showed up to help.
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç also said in a series of Facebook posts that the fire killed 66 people and has deeply saddened community members.
Fire under investigation
According to Tunç, the Bolu Republic Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the fire, and six prosecutors have been assigned to the case. Officials have also created a 5-member committee to look into the fire.
He said Tuesday morning that four people, including the owner of the business, were taken into custody.
The Kartal Hotel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some victims reportedly died jumping out of windows to get to safety
The fire started on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel, reported Reuters. Reuters added that some people jumped out of windows to escape the flames, citing hotel guest Baris Salgur.
Salgur told outlet NTV that two women jumped from the top floor. Another guest told Ekol TV that his family woke up and realized the hotel was on fire but couldn’t recall hearing any alarms. His family jumped from a floor closer to the ground onto the snow, Reuters reported.
Yerlikaya, Minister of Interior, said fire crews began fighting the fire about 45 minutes after they were called for help.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.