At least 66 dead in hotel fire in northern Turkey

(Patria) - At least 66 people have died and 51 have been injured in a fire that broke out at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in northern Turkey, confirmed Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Among the 51 injured, one person is in critical condition and is currently being treated in the intensive care unit, confirmed Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, stating that 17 people have been discharged from the hospital after receiving medical assistance.

Early this morning, a fire engulfed a hotel at the Kartalkaya resort in the Turkish city of Bolu, after which numerous emergency teams from neighboring cities, including firefighters, disaster response units, and medical teams supported by helicopters, were dispatched to the scene.

Authorities evacuated approximately 230 guests from the hotel as firefighting efforts continued.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched.

Kartalkaya in the Bolu province is one of the most important winter tourism destinations in Turkey and attracts thousands of visitors during the ski season.

The resort is located about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul.