The past weeks have brought nonstop heartache as tragic situations occurred across different nations. Los Angeles City experienced devastating wildfires that affected the entire region substantially. The wildfires in Los Angeles killed at least 27 people while destroying 15,000 buildings across 63 square miles of land. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires are still burning, and it seems like there’s no end in sight. But as if that wasn’t enough, something else related to skiing happened that added even more sorrow to an already tough time.

Over in Turkey, a fire broke out at a hotel in the Grand Kartal Hotel at a skiing resort. It killed at least 66 people and injured 32 more as of 21st January. The fire started around 3:30 a.m. while most of the guests were sleeping, and chaos quickly unfolded. The hotel was packed with 234 guests during the winter break, a time when families flock to these resorts. Some guests even used bedsheets to escape, tying them together to make makeshift ropes to climb down from the higher floors which left almost 32 injured. But what is the reason behind this fire? It’s still unclear what caused the fire, but it has left the whole community reeling.

One of the survivors, skiing instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, shared his experience of seeing the flames engulf the building and hearing people scream for help. He, along with others who knew the hotel well, helped evacuate as many people as they could. But sadly, two people, one guest, and one hotel employee, didn’t make it. They died after jumping from the building in an attempt to escape the fire.

And if that wasn’t enough to bear, the same day as the fire, another disaster struck at a different ski resort in Turkey. An explosion injured four people, including skiers and trainers, and though the cause is still under investigation, the whole situation just seems too much. The world has been filled with so much pain recently, and fans and onlookers everywhere are struggling to cope with the constant heartbreak.

Fans offer support after the skiing resort disaster

The recent tragedy in Turkey has left many people heartbroken, and fans were quick to express their sympathy for those affected. One fan said, “This is terrible news. My heart goes out to everyone affected. Makes me grateful for my tiny apartment, even if I have to use cardboard to cover the broken window. At least I’m safe.” Another added, “That is horrible. Praying for them!” Watching the video, people were shaken to their very core.

The fire raged unabated till it was finally brought under control 12 hours later. Meanwhile, the police have made four arrests, including the hotel owner. As per reports, the hotel had no fire safety concerns when it underwent investigation last year. The fact that the disaster happened despite safety inspections and fire tests performed in recent years, makes the situation all the more terrifying.

One more fan added, “So sorry to hear that 😔. Thoughts are with the victims and their families 🤗💕,” while another shared, “This is too bad… It was probably caused by the stove.” It’s hard not to feel the weight of it all, especially when the world is still reeling from this disaster. One fan even said, “Damn that ski resort got rugged harder than my last 10 trades. Hope everyone made it out safe fr.”

The investigation as to what triggered this fatal accident is still on. We are hoping for the truth to emerge as soon as possible to help us prevent such incidents from happening in the future. We are wishing for the recovery, safety, and good health of everyone affected by the Turkish skiing resort accident and also the L.A. fires.