UPDATE 2 - At least 10 killed in ski resort hotel fire in northern Türkiye

ADDS MESSAGE BY PAKISTAN, EU COMMISSIONER

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 10 people died and 32 others were injured in a fire that broke out at a hotel in Kartalkaya ski resort in northern Türkiye, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The fire broke out at around 0027GMT in the restaurant area of the hotel, quickly engulfing the building, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.

Emergency teams from neighboring cities, including firefighters, disaster response units, and medical teams supported by helicopters were dispatched to the scene.

Authorities evacuated around 230 guests from the hotel as firefighting efforts continued.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said a judicial investigation was initiated by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, with six public prosecutors assigned, and a five-person expert committee formed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had been following the incident closely through relevant institutions since the first moment. "I wish Allah's mercy to our citizens who lost their lives ... and wish a speedy recovery to our wounded," he said in a post on X.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sadness over the incident. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish nation, especially, the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this accident & pray for the swift recovery of the injured," he said on X.

Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management who is currently in Türkiye, also expressed her "deepest condolences" to Türkiye and to the families of the victims. "The EU stands in solidarity & offers support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism," she said on X.

Kartalkaya in the province of Bolu is one of Türkiye's premier winter tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season. The resort lies around 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul.