66 killed as fire engulfs hotel at a ski resort in Turkey

The fire left 55 others injured.

"We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel," Turkey Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site and providing the latest information.

As per witnesses, guests tried to escape the fire using ropes and footage showed bed sheets hanging from the windows.

At least three people died when they attempted to jump off their windows to escape the fire, according to reports.

The fire that broke out at 3:27 am local time in the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel, which has wooden cladding, has now been contained.

The resort is located around 170 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital Ankara.

Several ministers visited the spot to take stock of the situation.

The hotel had some 238 guests as it is a peak time during a two-week school holiday.

The blaze is believed to have started on the fourth floor of the 161-room hotel.

A portion of the structure is perched on a cliff, making it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze.

Emergency services, including fire trucks and ambulances, were rushed from Bolu and neighbouring provinces. Despite the 10-hour firefighting operation,66 lives were lost

A preliminary judicial investigation, led by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, involved six prosecutors and a five-member expert committee assigned to determine the cause of the fire.

Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured the public that an investigation was underway to identify those responsible.

“Every necessary step is being taken and will continue to be taken to clarify the incident and hold those responsible fully accountable,” he said.