Türkiye is observing a day of mourning for the 76 victims of a fire at a popular ski resort in the country’s northwest.

The fire broke out at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) at the wooden 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel in Bolu, which was occupied by 234 people during the busy holiday period. It took 12 hours to put it out.

An investigation into the incident has been launched, with conflicting reports on whether the hotel met safety standards.

Nine people were arrested, including the hotel owner.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is expected to visit Bolu on Wednesday, said those responsible for negligence that led to the fire “will be held accountable”.

Flags were flown at half-mast across Türkiye to mourn the victims of the fire, and the first funeral was held at the same time.

Search and rescue teams are making a last-ditch effort to find the remaining bodies.

Authorities said they were assessing all risks to the building, including the possibility of collapse.

In addition to the deaths, 51 people were injured in the fire, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. One person is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit and 17 people have been discharged. Relatives gathered outside the hospital where they were being treated.

One person the BBC met at the morgue said he had received information that seven of his relatives had died and had gone to the hospital to look for their bodies. Later he learned that the morgue was empty.

Video circulating showed linens hanging from windows used by those trying to escape the burning building. The stuff was still swaying in the wind Wednesday.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Eddin said initial reports suggested the fire broke out in the restaurant area on the fourth floor of the hotel and spread to floors above.

Aydin said the hotel’s remote location and cold weather meant it would take fire trucks more than an hour to arrive.

The hotel was last inspected in 2024 and the Tourism Minister said there were no concerns about the hotel’s fire safety before Tuesday’s disaster.

However, the Turkish Engineers and Architects Association (TMMOB) said that according to regulations, an automatic fire extinguishing system needs to be installed, and judging from photos of the hotel, the system has not yet been installed.

The statement added that it was unclear whether other regulations were followed, but according to survivors, “it is understood that the detection and warning systems were not functional and that an escape route could not be determined”.

Some survivors reported that they did not hear any fire alarms.

The Bolu Mountains are popular with skiers from Istanbul and Turkey’s capital Ankara, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) away, and hotel occupancy rates are high at the start of the two-week school holiday.

Information is emerging about the victims of the fire, but some of the bodies have yet to be identified. At least two people died after trying to jump to safety.

Many children and teenagers were among the dead, and in many cases several members of the same family were killed.

Turkish Airlines confirms Zela Senna Gultekin died with her businessman husband Bilal Gultekin, and three children. The Bogazici Executive Foundation said two of Bilal’s siblings were also killed.

These include Dr. Enes Gultekinthe medical union said he died along with an Izmir dentist Dr. Kübra Tonguç Altın and his daughter Arya.

More than 10 members of the association Gurtkin The entire family is thought to have died.

Dentist Dr. Burak Hasar announced that his colleague of 15 years, Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tuzgireher husband Dr. Erhan Tuzgire, and their children bay and iron All dead.

The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced that two executives of one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions, were killed. They are the CEO of the company cantokkanhis brother Atil Ennis Tokkanand their children Kemal and Atlas Kahn.

American College of Tarsus announces death of graduate Mert Doganhis wife Feeland their children blue and nature, and the grandson of another graduate. Omurkotan.

IELEV school association announces death of student peringangorher mother zodiac signsFather pride and brothers Kerem. Eslam UyanikA young chef at the hotel also died.

Professor Atakan Yalçın, Ph.D.Works at Özyeğin University Business School with his daughter Elif Deeringboth died.

Nedim Turkmenwriter for Sozcu newspaper, his wife Esneva Riverand their two children, 18 dora wyn and 22 years old Taizuall were killed.

TED Istanbul Academy announces death of student Alikan Boduroglu, his sister Elif Nurseand their mother marbling.

TED Ankara Academy shares news of death Ellen Badge on its social media accounts.

Dilara ErmanogluThe 24-year-old, one of the victims, traveled to Bolu to find her father who was being treated by paramedics after suffering a heart attack.

they knew neil arpackA 10-year-old swimmer from Fenerbahçe Sports Club in Istanbul has also died, as has her mother. Ferda.

Club management also stated Seren Yaman DoganThe wife of the vice president of the Qibolu Association and their 17-year-old daughter moon, was killed. Salem is also the daughter of a prominent local businessman.

Muhammad Cem Dogan, Director of OYAK Cement Bolu factory dies, his wife also dies Ashemin Elif and daughter Ayshe Maya.

The Turkish Neurological Association stated that its members, Dr. Ahmed Sethis, Killed along with his family.