66 People Killed, 51 Injured in Hotel Fire at Popular Ski Resort: Reports

The blaze broke out in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Turkey

• At least 66 people have died after a fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province, Turkey in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, Jan. 21, it's been reported
• Authorities confirmed 51 people had been injured in the blaze, with at least one person in a serious condition
• There were thought to have been 234 guests staying at the hotel when the fire occurred, per the Associated Press

At least 66 people have died after a fire broke out at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey, it's been reported.

The blaze started at around 3:30 a.m. local time on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya in Bolu province’s Köroğlu Mountains area, per the Associated Press.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters, "We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel," per Turkish outlet Daily Sabah.

The outlet stated that a further 51 people had been injured in the fire. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu said that at least one of the injured was in serious condition, confirming that 17 people had been discharged from the hospital so far, per the publication.

The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health said in a translated Instagram post that 34 injured people were still being treated in hospitals.

"May God have mercy on the citizens who lost their lives and we send our condolences to their relatives. We wish a speedy recovery to our injured," the message added.

Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin suggested the blaze broke out in the restaurant on the hotel's fourth floor, reported the BBC.

Aydin told reporters that due to the hotel's location, as well as the freezing weather conditions, it took fire engines over an hour to arrive, per the outlet.

The governor told local media that at least two of the victims had "died after jumping from the building in a panic," per the AP. He confirmed that there were 234 guests staying at the hotel at the time of the fire, the news agency added.

In images taken at the location, white bed sheets were seen dangling from windows as guests tried to escape, per the Daily Sabah.

A judicial investigation is being led by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to determine the cause of the fire, the outlet reported.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, per the publication, “Every necessary step is being taken and will continue to be taken to clarify the incident and hold those responsible accountable fully.”

Barış Salgür, who works at a hotel nearby, told reporters, "I saw people shouting for help from the windows. We brought ropes, pillows and quilts. Before firefighters arrived, two women jumped from the upper floors," according to the Daily Sabah.

The country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, was among those sending their condolences to those impacted on X, writing in a translated post, "I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in Bolu Kartalkaya and offer my condolences to their families and loved ones. I hope that our injured citizens will regain their health as soon as possible."

Ersoy told reporters that the hotel had undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024, and “no negative situation regarding fire competence” had been reported by the fire department, the AP stated.

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The hotel didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for an update.