TEHRAN – Iran offered its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expressed deep sympathy to the Turkish people following a devastating fire at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey.
The incident took place at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya resort in Bor province and has claimed the lives of at least 66 people and injured 51 others.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqai on Tuesday conveyed the condolences of the Iranian people and government and emphasized the strong friendship between the two neighboring countries.
“We extend our deepest condolences and condolences to the families of the deceased, the government and the people of our friendly neighboring Turkey,” Bacaei said in a statement.
He also expressed his prayers for the deceased, saying, “May God have mercy and forgiveness on those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident, and may God grant recovery and health to the injured.”
The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. local time and caused extensive damage to the hotel, which was fully booked during the busy school term break.
Witnesses reported panicked scenes of guests jumping out of windows and using bed sheets as makeshift ropes in a desperate attempt to escape.