A fire at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel, located in Kartalkaya, Bolu’s famous ski resort, claimed the lives of 76 people. Out of the 237 guests staying at the hotel, 51 were rescued with injuries. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
14 FROM THE SAME FAMILY LOSE THEIR LIVES
Among those who perished in the fire were Zehra Sena Gültekin, a specialist at Turkish Airlines’ Sales Analysis and Support Directorate and the daughter of former Bahçelievler Municipal Council Chairwoman Habibe Güner. Her three children, her husband, and nine other family members also lost their lives. In total, 14 members of the Gültekin family died in the fire.
“SHE CALLED HER MOTHER TO SAY GOODBYE”
It was reported that during the fire, Zehra Sena Gültekin called her mother to ask for her blessing, making her final moments all the more heartbreaking. Her husband, Bilal Gültekin, was also noted to be a former employee of Turkish Airlines.
FATHER GÜLTEKİN’S HEARTBREAKING WAIT
Yüksel Gültekin, who lost his son Bilal Gültekin, daughter-in-law Zehra Sena Gültekin, grandchildren, and other family members in the fire, waited with hope outside the hotel from the early morning hours. Industrial and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, who visited the site for an inspection, consoled Gültekin after he received the devastating news.
9 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the death toll in the tragedy had risen to 76, with the identities of 56 victims confirmed. He also stated that nine individuals had been taken into custody regarding the fire.
“WHAT HAPPENED?”
The fire, which broke out around 3:00 a.m., quickly engulfed the hotel’s wooden exterior. The flames caused widespread panic and brought the building to the brink of collapse. The fire was eventually brought under control by firefighting teams, but it left behind a devastating tragedy.
