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China expresses condolences for victims of Türkiye ski resort fire

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China expresses condolences for victims of Türkiye ski resort fire

2025-01-22 20:02 Last Updated At:20:37

A spokeswoman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday expressed condolences for the victims of a ski resort fire in Türkiye on Tuesday.

The fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, a ski resort in the northwestern province of Bolu in Türkiye, has killed 76 people. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a national day of mourning on Wednesday.

"We are saddened by the serious fire accident in Bolu Province, Türkiye. We extend our deep condolences for the victims and sincere sympathies to their families and those who have been injured. We wish the injured a speedy recovery," Mao Ning, the spokeswoman, said at a press conference in Beijing.

The hotel was accommodating 238 guests during the busy holiday season.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, spread rapidly through the 12-story wooden hotel. Initial investigations suggest that the fire originated in the restaurant area on the fourth floor before engulfing the upper levels.

Authorities have detained nine individuals following the fire, including the hotel owner.

Kartalkaya is a popular ski resort in the Koroglu mountains, some 300 kilometers east of Istanbul, the largest city in Türkiye.

China expresses condolences for victims of Türkiye ski resort fire

China expresses condolences for victims of Türkiye ski resort fire

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Women, children face dire struggles amid ongoing Sudan armed conflict

2025-02-09 17:43 Last Updated At:19:47

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving millions in Sudan, especially women and children, struggling with food insecurity, displacement, and violence.

The armed conflict that erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023 has been ongoing for nearly two years, creating a severe humanitarian disaster in the country. A recent report released by the United Nations indicates that by 2025, more than 15 million women in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)'s report -- "Sudan: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 - Overview" -- highlights that Sudanese women and children are disproportionately affected by the conflict, facing more acute challenges such as food shortages, survival crises, and the risk of gender-based violence.

The report reveals that approximately 24.6 million people in Sudan are in a state of "severe food insecurity" or worse, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. They face greater difficulties in accessing food, drinking water, healthcare, and ensuring their personal safety.

"Life is so hard. We don't have clean drinking water, and the water supply in grocery stores has also been cut off. We are short of food and water, and we are in despair. The prices of everything are continuously rising," said Sakina Ahmed, a resident.

Due to the severe damage and shortages in healthcare facilities, the situation for pregnant women and newborns in Sudan is dire. According to data from Sudan's Ministry of Health, 295 out of every 100,000 pregnant women die, and 51 out of every 1,000 newborns die.

Additionally, Sudan's education system has been severely disrupted by the conflict. Over 10,000 schools have been closed as a result of the fighting, and more than 90 percent of the 19 million school-age children are unable to access formal education, with girls being particularly affected by school dropouts, the report said.

"I was an eighth-grade student, but because of the conflict, I've been out of school for one year and four months," said Asrar Essam.

According to a statement by the UN resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, the armed conflict, along with the resulting mass displacement of people and widespread food insecurity, has led to a significant increase in gender-based violence, including sexual assaults.

The UN has called on Sudan to establish non-violent response mechanisms and strengthen accountability systems to safeguard the safety and dignity of all vulnerable groups. Most importantly, the UN has emphasized the urgent need to end the armed conflict and restore peace and stability.

Women, children face dire struggles amid ongoing Sudan armed conflict

Women, children face dire struggles amid ongoing Sudan armed conflict

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