Hotel fire at Turkiye ski resort kills at least 10
Al JazeeraJAN 21
Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Claims 76 Lives
Above: A view of the area as fire brigades respond to a fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center on Jan. 21, 2025, in Bolu, Turkey. Image copyright: Ibrahim Yozoglu/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The lack of proper firefighting infrastructure, inadequate critical safety measures, and delayed emergency response time left guests with no choice but to attempt dangerous self-rescue methods, leading to an increase in the death toll. To prevent such disasters in the future, authorities must review the security management of ski resorts and ask their managers to follow the safety guidelines recommended by the tourism ministry.
Narrative B
It's premature to point fingers when the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed officially. The hotel staff performed exceptionally well during the crisis, quickly evacuating the guests despite challenging circumstances. While this tragic incident is being thoroughly investigated, the building's cliff-side location and architectural design may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire and complicated firefighting efforts.