Turkey Arrests 19 in Response to Ski Hotel Fire Deaths

A tragic fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey's Kartalkaya ski resort has resulted in 78 fatalities and numerous injuries, prompting a criminal investigation that has led to the arrest of 19 individuals, including the hotel owner, manager, and local officials. The fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning, has raised serious concerns about the hotel's lack of fire safety measures, with survivors reporting no alarms, safety exits, or fire doors. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured that the judiciary is working to hold all responsible parties accountable. The incident has sparked public outrage and calls for reform regarding building safety standards in Turkey, which has a troubling history of neglect in this area. As investigations continue, the authorities are focusing on potential negligence as a key factor contributing to the high death toll. The Grand Kartal Hotel was hosting 238 guests at the time, many of whom were families with children.