Overview

• A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey, claimed the lives of 76 people and injured 51, with 20 still hospitalized, including one in critical condition.
• The blaze, which broke out early Tuesday morning, spread rapidly, trapping guests in the 12-story luxury hotel that lacked functional alarms, smoke detectors, and adequate fire safety measures.
• Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as some guests jumped from windows to escape the flames, while others improvised escape routes using bed sheets and ropes.
• Authorities, including the Turkish president and ministers, have launched investigations, with nine individuals, including the hotel’s owner, detained as questions arise over regulatory negligence and responsibility.
• The tragedy has reignited debates over lax safety standards, with critics drawing parallels to past disasters and alleging systemic failures in enforcing fire safety regulations.