Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his heartfelt condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in northwestern Turkiye.
The Prime Minister said that the entire Pakistani nation was saddened by this news and was praying for the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of those wounded.
He assured President Erdogan that the people of Pakistan stood in full solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Turkiye in their hour of sorrow.
PM Shehbaz lauded the swift response by the Turkish authorities in dealing with the unfortunate incident and offered to extend any help that may be needed in this regard.
President Erdogan thanked the Prime Minister for this kind gesture which was a manifestation of the strong fraternal bonds between the two nations and reflected their mutual desire to further strengthen these relations to their mutual benefit.
Kartalkaya Ski Resort Fire Claims 78 Lives
The fire which broke out in the early hours of Tuesday at Turkey’s Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Bolu province claimed at least 78 lives.
Initial investigations suggest that the blaze originated in the restaurant area on the fourth floor before engulfing the upper levels.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a national day of mourning on Wednesday.
“Those who caused such a disaster in any way, those who have negligence and fault will be held accountable before the law,” he said at a media conference after the cabinet meeting.
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He added that 17 of the injured had been discharged and the treatment of the other wounded, one of whom is in intensive care, continued.
The 12-story wooden hotel was accommodating 238 guests during the busy holiday season.
