A devastating fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalya, claiming 76 lives and injuring 51 others, just before Turkey's winter break. Witness accounts detail horrors as guests jumped from windows in desperation. The fire began in the restaurant on the fourth floor and rapidly spread, complicating rescue efforts due to the hotel’s cliffside location. Turkish authorities are investigating the incident, detaining several individuals, including the hotel owner. The nation mourned the victims, lowering flags to half-staff in remembrance of the tragedy.
There was no one around. They were calling for firefighters. They were breaking the windows. Some could no longer stand the smoke and flames, and they jumped.
It was awful. We were terrified. People were screaming. The cries of children especially affected us. We wanted to help but there was nothing we could do.
Authorities have assigned six prosecutors to investigate the cause of the fire, which appeared to have started at the restaurant section on the fourth floor.
Flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic missions overseas were lowered to half-staff as the nation observed a day of mourning on Wednesday for the victims.
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