A fire at a hotel in a popular ski resort in Turkey has killed at least 66 people, the country’s interior minister has said.
Ali Yerlikaya added that at least 51 other people were injured in the fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya in Bolu province’s Koroglu mountains in northwest Turkey, around 185 miles (300km) east of Istanbul.
The health minister said at least one of the injured was in serious condition and 17 others had been discharged from hospital after being treated.
At least two of the victims died after jumping from the building in panic, Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu media agency, adding that 234 guests were staying there.
Other reports said some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.
Pictures showed several fire engines surrounding the charred building, and white bed sheets tied together could be seen hanging from one upper-floor window.
Mr Yerlikaya said: “We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel.”
The fire broke out at around 3.30am in the restaurant of the 12-storey hotel, officials said.
A team of six government-appointed prosecutors is investigating how the fire started.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.