Turkey is mourning the victims of the fatal Bolu Hotel fire as efforts to identify them continue

A day of mourning has been declared in Turkey for the 76 victims of a fire that engulfed a popular hotel in a ski resort in the northwestern part of the country.

The fire broke out at the wooden 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there. The extinguishment took 12 hours.

An investigation into the incident was launched and there were conflicting reports about whether the hotel met safety standards.

Nine people were arrested, including the owner of the hotel.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is expected to visit Bolu on Wednesday, said those responsible for the negligence that led to the fire “will be held accountable.”

Across Turkey, flags are flying at half-staff in memory of the victims of the fire as the first funerals take place.

Search and rescue teams are making last-ditch efforts to locate any remaining bodies.

In addition to the dead, 51 people were injured in the fire, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. One was treated in intensive care, and 17 people were discharged.

Footage released in Turkey showed linen hanging from windows, which was used by those trying to escape the burning building.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Ayden said initial reports suggested the fire started in the restaurant on the fourth floor of the hotel and spread to the upper floors.

Bolu’s governor said the hotel’s remote location and freezing conditions meant it took more than an hour for fire engines to arrive.

The hotel was last checked in 2024. and the tourism minister said there were no concerns about the hotel’s fire safety before Tuesday’s disaster.

However, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said regulations required an automatic fire extinguishing system, and from pictures of the hotel it appeared that one had not been installed.

It added that it was unclear whether other regulations had been followed, but based on statements from survivors, “it is understood that detection and warning systems did not work and escape routes could not be determined”.

The Bolu Mountains are popular with skiers from Istanbul and Turkey’s capital, Ankara, which is about 170 kilometers (105 miles) away, and the hotel was operating at high occupancy at the start of the two-week school holidays.

Information continues to emerge about those killed in the fire, but some of the bodies have not yet been identified. At least two people were killed after trying to jump to safety.

Among the dead were many children and young people, and in many cases several members of the same family were killed.

Turkish Airlines confirmed this Zehra Sena Gultekin died with her husband, a businessman Bilal Gultekin, and three children. The Boğaziçi Executives Foundation reported that two of Bilal’s siblings were also killed, while Turkish media reported that other family members also died.

Dentist Dr. Burak Hassar announced that a colleague of his 15 years, Dr. Yasemen Bonchuk Tyuzgiraiher husband Dr. Erhan Tuzgirai, and their children gulf and Iron they had all died.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives from one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, had been killed. They are the CEO of the company Can Tokkan?his brother Atil Enis Tokjanand their children Kemal and Atlas Kaan.

The American College of Tarsus has announced the death of its alumni Mert Doganhis wife Feelingand their children Blue and Dogan, as well as the grandson of another graduate Omur Kotan.

The association of İELEV schools reported the death of students Wormwood Gungyorher mother zodiac signfather Pride and brother Kerem. Eslem Uyanika young chef at the hotel, also died.

prof. Dr. Atakan Yalchanwho worked at Özyeğin University’s business faculty, and his daughter Elif Derinboth died.

Nedim Turkmenwriter for Sozcu newspaper, his wife Ayse Nevaand their two children aged 18 Dora Wing and 22 years old Great ancestorall were killed.

TED Istanbul College announced the death of students Alican Boduroglu, his sister Elif Nasas well as their mother marbling.

TED Ankara College shared the news of the death of Eren Bagja on their social media accounts.

Dilara ErmanogluThe 24-year-old was also among the victims, and her father, who went to Bolu to look for her, was treated by health workers for a heart attack.

They know Nil ApakA 10-year-old female swimmer from the Fenerbahçe Sports Club in Istanbul also died along with her mother Ferda.

This was also said by the club’s management Black Yaman Doganthe wife of the vice president of her association, Bolu, and their 17-year-old daughter moon, were killed. Seren was also the daughter of a prominent local businessman.

Mehmet Cem Dogan, the director of the Bolu OYAK cement factory died, as did his wife Ayshemin Elif and a daughter Aisha Maya.

The Turkish Neurology Association said its member, Dr. Ahmet Cetiz, was killed along with his family.