Massive fire claims dozens of tourists' lives in Turkey: arrests and Erdogan's statement
Turkish authorities have detained nine people, including the hotel owner, following a fire at a ski resort that caused the deaths of 76 people and injured another 51.

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Nine people, including the owner of the Grand Kartal Hotel where the devastating fire occurred, claiming 76 lives and leaving 51 injured, have been detained in Turkey, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
The fire broke out at the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu mountains, sparking widespread attention both domestically and internationally.
Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the bodies of 45 victims have been handed over to their families. The remaining victims are being identified through DNA analysis at the forensic institute.
The blaze erupted at the height of the winter tourist season, with the hotel packed with guests, mainly families from Istanbul and Ankara. Extinguishing the fire took approximately 10 hours due to the building's challenging location on a steep slope.
Eyewitnesses reported that alarms and warning systems failed during the fire. Guests had to find exits in complete darkness while choking on smoke.
The Union of Turkish Engineers and Architects issued a statement accusing the hotel management of gross negligence in fire safety measures.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a national day of mourning on Wednesday, January 22, and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. The investigation is being led by six appointed prosecutors.
World leaders, including European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, have expressed their condolences to Turkey. Authorities plan to tighten fire safety regulations in the hotel industry.
Earlier reports indicated that the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills led to the evacuation of local residents, the closure of tourist locations, and threats to iconic Los Angeles landmarks.
Additionally, a major wildfire on the New York-New Jersey border has engulfed over 5,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of more than 160 homes in Orange County, where firefighters continue to battle the flames.