A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey's Bolu mountains claimed 66 lives early Tuesday, forcing desperate guests to jump from windows to escape the inferno. The incident occurred at the Kartalkaya ski resort, a popular destination in northwestern Turkey, where 234 guests were staying at the time.

The fire began around 3:30 am on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel, quickly spreading through the building. Witnesses reported chaos as thick smoke filled the air, and the hotel's fire detection system reportedly failed to function. Many guests tied bedsheets together to climb down from upper floors, while others jumped in panic. According to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, two victims lost their lives from injuries sustained while jumping.

Television footage captured the roof and upper floors engulfed in flames, with the hotel’s wooden cladding completely charred. Inside the lobby, shattered glass and scorched furniture painted a grim picture of the destruction.

One survivor, ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, recounted how he helped around 20 guests evacuate but noted that dense smoke made it nearly impossible for many to locate fire exits. Guest Atakan Yelkovan shared that the fire alarm never went off, and his wife’s quick detection of the burning smell likely saved their lives.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed 51 injuries, with one individual in critical condition. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya expressed sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a painful loss for the nation.

Guests also voiced frustration over delayed emergency response, with some claiming that it took almost an hour for firefighting teams to arrive. The remote location of the hotel, situated on the side of a cliff, reportedly made rescue operations more challenging.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with six prosecutors appointed to lead the inquiry. Initial findings suggest the chalet-style wooden cladding on the hotel's exterior may have accelerated the fire.

The tragedy unfolded during Turkey's school semester break, a peak travel season when resorts are at full capacity. Nearby hotels were evacuated as a precaution, and displaced guests were accommodated in the town of Bolu.

In an unrelated incident on the same day, a gas explosion at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Centre in Sivas province, central Turkey, injured four people. These events have raised concerns about safety measures at Turkey’s tourist destinations.

Authorities are now focusing on improving safety protocols to prevent such disasters from recurring.