A devastating fire broke out early on Tuesday, January 21, at the Grand Kartal Hotel, a popular ski resort in Turkey’s beautiful Kartalkaya. The fire left at least 76 people dead and 51 others injured, and it has shocked the nation.
Chaos and Desperation as Flames Spread
The fire started around 3:30 a.m. and quickly spread through the 12-story hotel, which was packed with guests. Panic set in as people tried to escape. Some jumped from windows in a desperate attempt to save themselves. One hotel worker shared a heartbreaking story, saying he saw a father holding his baby and asking for pillows to throw out the window, hoping to save his child. Fortunately, the emergency services arrived just in time to rescue them. Sadly, not everyone was so lucky—two women who were on the top floor, where students were staying, jumped out and didn’t survive.
A Nightmare Escape for Guests
The fire was so fast and intense that guests had little time to react. One guest, Atakan Yelkovan, said that when he smelled smoke and tried to help, the alarm still hadn’t gone off. He and his family couldn’t get to the upper floors because of the flames. They had to scramble to get outside safely. Another guest, Eylem Senturk, managed to escape with her daughter, but her husband was trapped on a higher floor. Thankfully, he was able to jump to a safer spot below and survive.
The Heroes Who Responded
Despite the terrifying conditions, nearly 270 emergency responders raced to the scene to help. But the location of the hotel, up in the mountains and far from the city, made it difficult for firefighters to get there quickly. The freezing cold didn’t help either.
The Search for Answers
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, but it’s believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant area. The hotel had more than 230 guests at the time, and while it’s still unclear if any foreign nationals were affected, the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul has offered its condolences.
A Day of Mourning in Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning for Wednesday to honor the victims. He also made it clear that those responsible for the fire will be held accountable.
As the country mourns, the memories of the chaos, heroism, and loss will not soon be forgotten. This tragedy is a stark reminder of how precious life is and how quickly everything can change.
