In brief
At least 76 people lost their lives in a tragic fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel, shedding light on significant safety concerns at the popular Turkish ski resort.
The first signs of distress emerged in a family WhatsApp group around 5:30 a.m. when a brother and sister trapped inside the hotel sent desperate messages for help. "Save us," their uncle, Ozgur Turkmen, recalled them writing. "We cannot reach our parents. There are no fire brigades." Hours later, the siblings and their parents were confirmed dead, becoming part of the death toll that rose to at least 76 following the fire that engulfed the lodge early Tuesday morning.Located 180 miles east of Istanbul, the Grand Kartal Hotel was filled with guests enjoying their winter break. As the predawn fire erupted, many were caught off guard by thick smoke and confusion. Survivors reported not hearing any fire alarms and expressing concern over the absence of visible fire escape routes.Turkish authorities are now under scrutiny as the Turkish engineers union released alarming statements indicating that photos taken before the fire revealed no signs of a functioning sprinkler system—despite regulations mandating its presence years ago. This tragic incident has sparked outrage and grief, prompting discussions about the need for stricter safety measures in hotels across the country.
