Investigation underway for Türkiye's deadly ski resort fire

China

Investigation underway for Türkiye's deadly ski resort fire

2025-01-22 16:10 Last Updated At：01-23 01:17

An investigation has been launched over Türkiye's deadly ski resort fire, with nine people, including the hotel's owner, detained.

A fire broke out at the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkiye's northwestern Bolu mountains shortly before 3:30 Tuesday morning. Firefighters worked relentlessly for 12 hours to bring the flames under control.

The tragic incident has already claimed 76 lives. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that search and rescue operations at the site have been completed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed accountability, as some guests allege negligence, with one suggesting the hotel's fire detection system failed.

The hotel, located at the popular Kartalkaya ski resort about 300 kilometers from Istanbul, had 238 registered guests. Families on holiday were caught in the chaos, with some desperately trying to escape as many locals helplessly watched the tragedy unfold.

"We heard cries for help from here. One woman even jumped out of the window. We were really scared in that situation. They tried to climb down using bedsheets," Izzet Eren Yildirim, a witness, recalled.

Aid workers and emergency responders provided assistance at the scene. One described the rescuing process as "very challenging".

"Our firefighters rescued nearly 30 citizens. Of course, there were flames, and they were trying to carry out their duties under very challenging conditions. There are still firefighting teams on standby at the scene," said a responder.

Families of victims have been waiting for updates, while many of the injured are being treated in hospitals in central Bolu. Relatives have gathered at the morgue and nearby hospitals, hoping for answers.

"Our loved one was here. We haven't been able to get any news at all, and no one is providing us with help or information. They're telling us to provide DNA samples and to go to Ankara, but we've been waiting here for hours, completely helpless," said Fatih Kaleli, relative of a victim.

Japan begins oil reserve release amid Mideast conflict

Japan began releasing oil from its reserves Monday to ease supply concerns amid the escalating Middle East conflict and ensure stable distribution of petroleum products, local media reported.

The country is initially releasing 15 days' worth of reserves held by the private sector, with a month's worth of government-held oil to follow, according to Kyodo News.

The Japanese government will lower the mandatory reserve requirement for oil refiners and trading firms from 70 days to 55 days, enabling them to utilize part of their existing inventories.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the government's plans to release about 80 million barrels of oil, the largest release ever. The amount equals 45 days of domestic consumption and is 1.8 times the volume released following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked northeastern Japan in 2011, Kyodo News reported.

Preparations are underway to sell oil from government-held reserves to wholesalers.

This marks the seventh time Japan has drawn on its oil reserves since the system was introduced in the 1970s. As of the end of 2025, Japan held an oil reserve equivalent to 254 days of domestic demand.

Japan relies on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, making it highly vulnerable to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict at the end of February. The disruption has driven sharp rises in crude oil prices in the country.