'People on the upper floors were screaming, some tried to jump': Tourist describes horror as 76 dead in Turkey ski resort fire

A tourist has described scenes of chaos as panicked guests tried to escape a hotel in Turkey after it caught fire - with the tragedy claiming some 76 lives.

Guests clambered down from their rooms using sheets and blankets after the blaze tore through the Grand Kartal hotel in the ski resort of Kartalkaya. Some 76 people have been confirmed dead, while others remain seriously injured, the authorities in the country have said.

The fire happened near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed.

Atakan Yelkovan, who was staying on the third floor, said he saw people attempt to jump from balconies and windows in desperate bids to escape. However, at least two of the deceased had jumped from the large building, officials said. Recalling the horror, Mr Yelkovan said: "People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets ... Some tried to jump."

Witnesses and reports suggested that the hotel’s fire detection system failed to operate. Mr Yelkovan said he only became alerted to the commotion when his wife detected a burning smell, reports The Mirror.

Speaking to IHA, a press agency in Turkey, Mr Yelkovan continued: "My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off. We tried to go upstairs but couldn’t, there were flames. We went downstairs and came here (outside)."

There were 238 people staying in the hotel when the fire broke out, reportedly at around 3.30am on Tuesday. It came from the restaurant but the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Nine people have been detained as part of the investigation into the fire, authorities have said. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the hotel’s owner was among the people detained for questioning in the probe.

The fire occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region around 185 miles east of Istanbul are packed. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said: "Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning but you should know that whoever is responsible for causing this pain will not escape justice."

Emergency response teams will conduct a final search for victims today. Only 45 of the 76 people killed have been identified, Mr Yerlikaya told reporters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a day of national mourning to be observed on Wednesday. All flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic mission abroad would be lowered to half-staff, he said.

The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section.

Nine people have been detained as part of the investigation.