Death toll from ski resort fire in Türkiye rises to 79

The death toll from the fire that occurred at the ski resort in Türkiye’s Bolu province rose to 79, a Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

DNA testing was conducted to identify more bodies killed in the fire.

As earlier reported, the fire erupted at the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel at 03:27 pm local time on Tuesday in Bolu province killing 76 people and injuring 51 more. 234 guests were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended condolences to the bereaved families and declared a day of national mourning on Wednesday.

It is worth noting, nine people were arrested in connection with Tuesday’s fire at a ski resort hotel.The arrests, announced by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Wednesday, included the owner of the hotel, with questions rising over the safety measures in place.