Simmering anger as Türkiye begins burying 76 people killed in resort hotel fire

KARTALKAYA, Turkey – Turkey prepared to bury its dead on Jan. 22, a day after a massive fire at a ski resort hotel killed 76 people, as questions mounted about security measures at the luxury property.

As the nation marked a day of mourning, dozens of families prepared to bury their loved ones who died in the flames that ripped through the 12-story hotel.

But the sadness was accompanied by anger, and many newspapers published allegations of neglect at the mountaintop hotel in Kartalkaya, about two hours northwest of Ankara.

“It was not fire but neglect that caused so many deaths,” said the pro-government newspaper Hurriyet.

The fire, which broke out in the middle of the night, broke out during peak season at the Grand Kartal Hotel, where 238 guests were staying at the beginning of the two-week winter break.

Officials said that as of January 22, more than 30 people remained in the hospital, one of whom was in intensive care.

On a frosty, foggy morning, with flags at half-mast, rescuers resumed their search for the charred and blackened facility where, according to Turkish media, entire families died.

Among those buried on January 22 were the neurologist, his wife and three children, including twins.

“Deeply disturbing”

The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. in Singapore), sending huge plumes of smoke into the night air and causing panic among guests, many of whom tried to escape through windows using sheets as ropes.

“I saw one kid hanging in the hotel window and screaming for help,” said Islam, who works at a nearby hotel and did not give his name.

“I was deeply concerned. I still can’t forget that image,” he said, adding that he knew some of the hotel staff who died.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that by the evening of January 21, investigators had identified 52 victims and 45 had been returned to their families for burial.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was expected to attend the funeral of seven family members of a local official from his ruling AKP, which will be held in the nearby town of Bolu.

Yerlikaya said nine people have been arrested in connection with the fire, including the owner, and investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, possible negligence and who was responsible.

Speaking to Turkish media on January 21, several guests said that no fire or smoke alarms went off and that there were no fire escapes.

“No fire alarm went off… and there was no fire exit,” Atakan Yelkovan told the IHA news agency, claiming it took “an hour to an hour and a half” for firefighters to arrive.

Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy, however, said the hotel had two escape routes and had passed inspections “in 2021 and 2024.”

The fire brigade did not detect any problems related to fire safety,” he added. AFP

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