Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 66 people had been killed and at least 51 other people were injured in the disaster.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Two of the victims died after jumping from the building in a panic, Gov. Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Private NTV television said some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.

Turkey is in shock and mourning after a massive fire tore through a popular ski resort hotel, leaving at least 66 people dead and dozens more injured.

The tragedy occurred early on Saturday morning at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, a well-known ski destination in the Bolu province.

The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the hotel’s restaurant, quickly spreading throughout the 12-storey building.

Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that 66 people were killed, and at least 51 others were injured in the devastating blaze.

Many of the victims had been staying at the four-star hotel, which was packed with guests enjoying the winter season.

Reports from local authorities revealed that two victims died after jumping from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames.

Some other survivors attempted to escape by using sheets and blankets to climb down from their rooms, according to private NTV television.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with emergency teams still working at the scene.

The Turkish government has expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full support for the ongoing rescue and investigation efforts.

Local officials, including Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, have called the fire an unspeakable tragedy and vowed to bring clarity to what caused the horrific incident.

As the country reels from the loss, many are left grappling with the shock of a nightmare vacation that turned into an unimaginable disaster.