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

A day of mourning is underway in Turkey for the 76 victims of the fire that engulfed a popular hotel on a ski resort in the northwest 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 the busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there. The blackout lasted 12 hours.

An investigation has been launched into the incident and there are 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 scheduled to visit Bol on Wednesday, said those responsible for the negligence that led to the fire “will be held accountable.”

Across Turkey, flags are flying at half-mast in memory of the victims of the fire, while the first funerals are being held.

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

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

Footage circulating in Turkey shows sheets used by those trying to escape from the burning building hanging from windows.

The cause of the fire has not yet been found, but Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin said initial reports suggested it started in the restaurant area on the hotel’s fourth floor and spread to the floors above.

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

The hotel was last inspected 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 that according to regulations, an automatic fire extinguishing system was required, and photos of the hotel showed that one was not installed.

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

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

Reports of those killed in the fire are still coming in, although some bodies have not yet been identified. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

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

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

Dentist dr. Burak Hasar announced that his 15-year-old colleague, Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tüzgirayher husband Ph.D. Erhan Tüzgiray, and their children Daphne and Demir they all died.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives of one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, had been killed. They are the CEO of the company Tokcan canhis brother Atıl Enis Tokcanand their children Kemal and Atlas Kaan.

Tarsus American College has announced the death of its graduates Mert Doğanhis wife Duygand their children Mavi and Doğan, as well as the grandson of another graduate Ömür Kotan.

The association of İELEV schools announced the death of the student Wormwood Güngörher mother Burcfather Kıvanç and brother Thank you. Eslem Uyanika young chef at the hotel, also passed away.

Prof. Ph.D. Atakan Yalçınwho worked at the business faculty of Özyeğin University, and his daughter Elif Derinboth died.

Nedim Turkmenwriter for Sozcu newspaper, his wife Ayse Nevaand their two children, 18 years old Ah Dora and a 22-year-old Yüce Atathey were all killed.

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

TED Ankara College shared the news of the death Eren Bagci on your social media accounts.

Dilar ErmanogluA 24-year-old woman was among the victims, and her father, who went to look for her in Bol, was treated by health workers for a heart attack.

Vedia Nil ApakA 10-year-old swimmer from the Fenerbahce sports club from Istanbul also died, along with her mother. Ferda.

This was also said by the club management Ceren Yaman Doğanthe wife of the vice president of her association, Bolu, and their 17-year-old daughter Lalin, were killed. Ceren was also the daughter of a well-known local businessman.

Mehmet Cem Doğan, the director of the Bolu cement factory for OYAK, died, as did his wife Ayşemin Elif and daughter Ayşe Maya.

The Turkish Association of Neurologists announced that he is a member Ph.D. Ahmet Çetiz, killed together with his family.