Türkiye has declared a national day of mourning following a devastating fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province, which claimed the lives of 76 people and left 51 others injured.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the one-day mourning period after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Later in the evening, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the updated death toll, which had risen from an earlier figure of 66. Yerlikaya noted that 52 of the victims have been identified and announced that nine individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained in connection with the incident.

The fire broke out early Tuesday morning in the restaurant area of the resort and rapidly spread throughout the building. Firefighters battled the blaze for over ten hours before it was brought under control. Cooling efforts at the site are ongoing, while teams of prosecutors and experts investigate the cause of the tragedy.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu reported that of the 51 injured, 17 have been discharged from hospitals, with one patient remaining in intensive care.

President Erdoğan expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged to hold those responsible accountable. “All necessary steps will be taken to ensure justice,” he said.

The tragedy has prompted an international outpouring of sympathy, with leaders including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladimir Putin offering condolences.

Kartalkaya, a popular winter destination located about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul, attracts thousands of tourists annually, heightening the shock of this catastrophic event.

Authorities have assured the public that they are working tirelessly to provide answers and support for those affected. Further updates will follow as investigations progress. (ILKHA)