At least ten people lost their lives, and 32 others sustained injuries after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, northwestern Turkey.

The blaze erupted at 3:27 a.m. local time (0027 GMT) in the hotel’s restaurant, quickly engulfing the upper floors of the 12-story building. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the fatalities, adding that at least two victims died after jumping from the building in a panic. Local reports described guests attempting to escape by climbing down from windows using bedsheets and blankets.

Television footage showed flames consuming the roof and top floors of the wooden chalet-style hotel, with thick plumes of smoke rising against a snowcapped mountain backdrop. The hotel, which was operating at 80-90% capacity due to school holidays, had over 230 guests checked in at the time.

Chaos During Evacuation Efforts

Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, recounted the chaos as he helped around 20 people evacuate. "It was difficult to locate fire escapes due to the dense smoke," he told private broadcaster NTV. "I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK."

Officials dispatched 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances to the scene, but the hotel's cliffside location hindered firefighters’ efforts to combat the flames. Nearby hotels were evacuated as a precaution, with guests relocated to alternative accommodations in the area.

Investigation Underway

Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that six prosecutors had been appointed to investigate the fire's cause, which remains undetermined. Reporters from NTV suggested that the wooden cladding of the 161-room hotel may have accelerated the fire's spread.

The health, interior, and culture ministers are expected to visit the site later on Tuesday to oversee the situation.

Kartalkaya, situated in the Koroglu Mountains approximately 300 kilometers east of Istanbul and 170 kilometers northwest of Ankara, is a popular winter destination for ski enthusiasts.

Authorities continue to work on identifying victims and providing support to those affected by the tragedy.