Turkey mourns victims of fatal Bolu hotel fire as efforts to identify them continue

A day of mourning is being observed in Turkey for the 76 people who were killed in a fire that destroyed a popular sports hotel in the northwest of the country.

The fire broke out at the 12-storey Grand Kartal wooden hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during the holiday when 234 people were staying there. It took 12 hours to finish.

An investigation has been launched into the incident and there have been conflicting reports about whether the hotel was compliant with security.

9 people have been arrested including the owner of the hotel.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is expected to visit Bolu on Wednesday, said those who ignore the cause of the fire “will be held accountable”.

Flags are flying in central Turkey in memory of those affected by the fire, as the first funerals take place.

Search and rescue teams are making last-ditch efforts to find the remaining bodies.

Along with the dead, 51 people were injured in the fire, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. One person was being treated in the main hospital, and 17 people have been discharged.

Videos circulating in Turkey showed curtains hanging from windows used by those trying to escape the burning building.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, but the governor of Bolu, Abdulaziz Aydin, said that preliminary reports indicated that it had exploded in the dining room of the fourth floor of the hotel and spread to the ground floor.

Bolu’s governor said the remote location of the hotel and the cold weather meant it took an hour for firefighters to arrive.

The hotel was last inspected in 2024, and the tourism minister said there were no concerns about fire safety at the hotel before Tuesday’s accident.

However, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said that, according to the law, a fire extinguisher is required, and it appears from the photos of the hotel that one was not installed.

It added that it is not known whether other laws were followed, but according to the survivors, “it is understood that the detection and warning systems did not work and the escape routes could not be identified”.

The mountains of Bolu are popular with skiers from Istanbul and the Turkish capital of Ankara, which is about 170km (105 miles), and the hotel was busy at the start of the two-week holiday.

Details of those who died in the fire are still ongoing although some bodies remain unaccounted for. At least two people have been killed after trying to jump to safety.

Many children and young people are among the dead and, in many cases, several members of the same family have been killed.

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

Dentist Dr Burak Hasar announced that his friend of 15 years, Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tüzgirayher husband Dr. Erhan Tüzgiray, and their children Mr and Steel they all died.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives of one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, were killed. He is the CEO of the company What is Tokkan?his brother Atil Enis Tokcanand their children Kemal and Atlas Kaan.

Tarsus American College has announced the death of a graduate Mert Doganhis wife Feelingand their children Blue and Dogan, and the grandson of another student Ömür Kotan.

The İELEV Schools Association has announced the death of the students Pelin Gungorhis mother zodiac signfather Pride and brother Kerem. Eslem Uyanikthe young chef at the hotel, also died.

Prof. Dr. Atakan Yalçınwho worked at Özyeğin University Faculty of Business, and his daughter Elif Derinboth of them died.

Nedim TurkmenSozcu newspaper reporter, his wife No Nevaand their two children, aged 18 Dora Wing he is 22 years old Great Ancestorthey were all killed.

TED Istanbul College has announced the death of students Alican Boduroğlu, his sister Elif Nasand their mothers shake.

TED Ankara College shared the news of the death of Eren Bağcı on his social media accounts.

Dilara Ermanoglu24, was also among the victims, and his father who went to Bolu to check on him was treated by health workers for a heart attack.

He knows Nil Apaka 10-year-old swimmer with Fenerbahce Sports Club in Istanbul, also died, along with his mother. Ferda.

Club leaders also said this Ceren Yaman Doganthe wife of the vice president of their association in Bolu, and their 17-year-old daughter moon, he was killed. Ceren was also the son of a well-known businessman in the area.

Mehmet Cem Dogan, the director of the Bolu OYAK cement factory, died, as did his wife Ayşemin Elif and a daughter No Maya.

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