A devastating fire broke out this morning at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, Bolu Province, Turkey. Nearly 70 people lost their lives, and approximately 50 others were injured. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) specifies that, according to information received from the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Ankara, there are currently no reports of Moldovan citizens being affected, IPN reports.

Moldovan citizens in Turkey are encouraged to use the emergency lines set up by the embassy for any additional information or urgent assistance: +90 312 446 55 27 and +90 541 687 21 04.

"The Ministry extends its condolences to the families of the victims, the authorities, and the Turkish people during these difficult times. Despite the significant challenges faced by the intervention teams, including the hotel's location on a cliff and unfavorable weather conditions, the rescue efforts were intense, and the fire was extinguished after approximately 10 hours", stated a press release.

The fire, which started on the upper floors of the hotel for unknown reasons, spread rapidly due to the wooden cladding of the building, according to Turkish media.