ANKARA, Turkiye (AP) -- A fire raged through a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkiye early Tuesday during a school holiday, killing at least 66 people -- at least two of them when they jumped from the building to escape the flames, officials said.
At least 51 people also were injured in the fire at the Grand Kartal in Kartalkaya, in Bolu province's Koroglu Mountains, some 185 miles east of Istanbul, according to interior minister Ali Yerlikaya. The fire occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed.
"We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel," Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site.
Atakan Yelkovan, a hotel guest staying on the third floor, told the IHA news agency there was chaos on the upper floors as other guests tried to escape the fire, including by trying to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.
"People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets. Some tried to jump," Yelkovan said.
Health minister Kemal Memisoglu said at least one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 other people were treated and released.