A fire erupted at the Grand Kartal hotel in Turkey's Bolu province, claiming 66 lives, including some who jumped from the building. The fire began in the restaurant section during a busy winter school holiday, leading to chaotic escapes by guests. Health officials reported 51 injuries, with several in serious condition. Investigators have been appointed, and four individuals, including the hotel's owner, have been detained for questioning. Eyewitness accounts reveal panic as guests attempted to flee from the upper floors, underlining the dire situation as emergency services responded after a delay.
"We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel," Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site.
"People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets ... Some tried to jump," Yelkovan said, recounting the chaotic scene as guests attempted to escape.
The fire was reported at 3:27 a.m. and the fire department began to respond at 4:15 a.m., he told reporters, highlighting the delayed response during the incident.
At least two of the victims died when they jumped from the building in panic, Gov. Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier.
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