Tragedy in Turkey: 78 Dead in Hotel Fire, National Day of Mourning Declared
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince
· 2 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Ankara, January 23, 2025 – Turkey is in mourning after a tragic fire at a ski resort hotel, causing the death of 78 people and injuring several others. The tragedy, which occurred overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, has plunged the country into deep sorrow, prompting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to declare a national day of mourning.
The Facts
The fire broke out in a hotel complex popular with vacationers, located in a ski resort in northeastern Turkey. The flames quickly ravaged the establishment, trapping dozens of guests and staff members. Firefighters, dispatched to the scene, battled the blaze for hours to bring it under control.
According to initial findings from the investigation, the disaster may have been caused by an electrical problem in a common area of the hotel, but authorities are not ruling out other hypotheses, including failures to meet safety standards.
Human Toll and National Solidarity
The provisional toll stands at 78 deaths, including several children. About twenty people were also hospitalized, some in critical condition. Medical teams and psychologists have been mobilized to assist survivors and victims' families.
In response to this tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and his solidarity with the injured. In a statement, he announced a national day of mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast throughout the country.
Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
The catastrophe sparked a wave of emotion in Turkey and internationally. Many foreign leaders sent messages of support to Turkey.
The ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact causes of the fire and identify any potential negligence. Inspections will also be carried out in other similar establishments to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.
This tragedy highlights the importance of safety measures in public places, especially in facilities hosting a large number of visitors.
A Call for Resilience
As Turkey mourns its lost, solidarity actions are already being organized across the country. Fundraising and moral and material support campaigns for the victims' families have been launched.
The fire broke out in a hotel complex popular with vacationers, located in a ski resort in northeastern Turkey. The flames quickly ravaged the establishment, trapping dozens of guests and staff members. Firefighters, dispatched to the scene, battled the blaze for hours to bring it under control.
According to initial findings from the investigation, the disaster may have been caused by an electrical problem in a common area of the hotel, but authorities are not ruling out other hypotheses, including failures to meet safety standards.
Human Toll and National Solidarity
The provisional toll stands at 78 deaths, including several children. About twenty people were also hospitalized, some in critical condition. Medical teams and psychologists have been mobilized to assist survivors and victims' families.
In response to this tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and his solidarity with the injured. In a statement, he announced a national day of mourning, during which flags will be flown at half-mast throughout the country.
Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
The catastrophe sparked a wave of emotion in Turkey and internationally. Many foreign leaders sent messages of support to Turkey.
The ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact causes of the fire and identify any potential negligence. Inspections will also be carried out in other similar establishments to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.
This tragedy highlights the importance of safety measures in public places, especially in facilities hosting a large number of visitors.
A Call for Resilience
As Turkey mourns its lost, solidarity actions are already being organized across the country. Fundraising and moral and material support campaigns for the victims' families have been launched.
