A deadly fire in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Jan. 21, at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey killed at least 66 people and injured dozens more, according to Turkey’s interior minister. Officials said they fear the death toll could rise as nearly 240 guests were staying at the hotel at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities believe the blaze sparked in the kitchen and spread rapidly through the rest of the hotel.
Authorities said at least three people died jumping to escape the flames engulfing the hotel.
Firefighters eventually put out the fire after struggling to tackle it due to the building’s position on a sloped cliff, according to Turkish officials.
Fire officials warned that the building is still at risk of collapse as they continue to monitor the structure.
Some survivors said that they awoke to smoke but did not hear any alarms as they escaped the hotel. Nearby hotels are housing uninjured guests, officials said.
Turkey’s president offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Turkey’s justice minister said six prosecutors are looking into the incident.
