PM Shehbaz Sharif expresses condolences over deadly hotel fire in Turkey

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow on Tuesday following a deadly fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in northern Turkey, which claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 32 others injured.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Sharif said, “Deeply saddened to learn of the fire in a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Northern Türkiye.” He extended his heartfelt condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish people, and especially to the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.

The Prime Minister also offered prayers for the swift recovery of those injured in the fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning at the Grand Kartal Hotel. Authorities reported that the blaze, which started on the restaurant floor of the 11-storey hotel, quickly spread throughout the building, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries.

Emergency response teams, including over 250 first responders, rushed to the scene to assist with firefighting and medical efforts. The fire occurred during the beginning of Turkey’s two-week school holiday, a time when many tourists, especially from nearby Istanbul and Ankara, visit the Bolu mountains for skiing.