ALBAWABA - The death toll in the fire that engulfed a ski resort hotel in Turkey has jumped to 76, the Turkish interior minister revealed. Ankara declared a day of mourning in the country on Wednesday.
Turkey has detained nine people, including the owner of a hotel in connection with a fire at a ski resort in western Turkey that killed 76 people and injured dozens, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said early Wednesday.
The hotel at the Kartalkaya Ski Resort occurred at 3:27 a.m. local time, Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He said: "I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to our injured."
Videos of the fire were posted on social media showing a huge blaze engulfing the whole building in addition to smoke rising into the sky.
Daily Sabah media outlet said Emergency teams, including 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances were sent to combat the fire at the ski resort hotel, where 234 guests were staying.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, as questions mount over the safety protocols at the 12-story, 161-room hotel.
