Pakistan PM Expresses Solidarity with Turkey After Deadly Hotel Fire

At least 78 people were killed in the fire incident at a northern Turkey ski resort

Thu Jan 23 2025
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condoled with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over a fire at a ski resort hotel in the country’s north which killed 78 people and injured 51.

Prime Minister Sharif during a telephone conversation with President Erdogan conveyed his deepest condolences over the loss of precious lives in the tragic fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in north-western Turkey, according to a statement issued by PM House on Thursday.

He said that the entire Pakistani nation is saddened by this news and is praying for the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the injured.

Shehbaz Sharif assured President Erdogan that the people of Pakistan stood in full solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Turkey in their hour of grief.

The Prime Minister lauded the quick response by the Turkish authorities in dealing with the unfortunate incident and offered to extend any assistance that may be needed in this regard.

In his remarks, President Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for this kind gesture which was a manifestation of the strong fraternal bonds between the two countries and reflected their common desire to further strengthen these ties to their mutual benefit.

Pakistan envoy visits fire site

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey, Yousaf Junaid, visited the site of fire in Bolu province where he met with officials from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

“Pakistan and Turkey have a glorious history of supporting each other under all circumstances. Our hearts beat together and we share joy and pain. The whole Pakistani nation is deeply grieved by the tragic incident,” said Junaid, who also met with provincial Governor Okay Memis on Wednesday.

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The fire broke out early Tuesday at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) in the restaurant area of the Kartalkaya ski resort hotel and quickly engulfed the building, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu reported that 17 of the injured have been discharged from the hospital, while one individual remains in intensive care.

Investigation launched

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated that Bolu prosecutors have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The inquiry involves a team of six prosecutors working alongside a five-member expert committee.

The blaze, which took over 10 hours to extinguish, promoted the deployment of emergency teams from nearby areas. Firefighters, disaster response units, and medical personnel, supported by helicopters, worked together to tackle the fire.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also expressed his condolences, stressing that the incident is “being thoroughly investigated, and necessary steps will be taken to hold those responsible accountable.”

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