Turkish authorities have arrested 19 people as part of an investigation into a fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province. Those detained include the deputy mayor of Bolu, the deputy fire chief, the general manager of the Gazelle Hotel and a fire department employee, state television TRT reported.

The tragedy occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel, where a fire claimed the lives of 78 people. According to preliminary data, the fire started in the kitchen and quickly spread due to the lack of a fire extinguishing system. The fire escape, which was supposed to be a route to salvation, played the role of a chimney, which led to smoke inhalation among people trying to evacuate.

Previously, 15 suspects were detained, including the owner and managers of the hotel, six of whom were released under judicial supervision. The investigation revealed that on December 12, 2024, one of the hotel managers requested a fire safety report from the municipality, but the Bolu Fire Department did not report any violations.

The fire, which broke out early in the morning of January 21, quickly engulfed the 12-story wooden hotel. The incident caused a public outcry and calls for stricter control over compliance with fire safety standards. Independent experts emphasize that the Grand Kartal Hotel failed to take basic measures to prevent similar tragedies.