Maldives’ leader extends condolences after fire at Turkiye ski resort kills 76

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu sent a message of condolence to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday, after a fire in a ski resort in northwestern Turkiye killed dozens of people.

The fire broke out overnight on Tuesday in the restaurant of the 11-storey hotel in Kartalkaya in Bolu province. At least 76 people were confirmed dead and another 51 people injured.

In his message, President Muizzu expressed profound sadness and shock upon learning of the tragic fire.

He offered condolences to the bereaved families, the government, and people of Turkiye.

Concluding the message, he extended his wishes for strength and resilience during this difficult period, as well as the success of the ongoing recovery efforts.

The Turkish government has appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the fire, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section.

At least nine people have been detained as part of the investigation into the fire, including the hotel’s owner.

Kartalkaya is one of Turkiye’s premier winter tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season. The resort lies about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul.