In a message shared on X, President Kagame described the incident as tragic, extending his condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the bereaved families. He also wished a quick recovery to those who were injured.
"My heartfelt condolences to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the people of Türkiye for the tragic loss of life in the devastating fire at the ski resort in Bolu. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragedy. We extend our wishes for recovery to those injured," he wrote on Wednesday morning.
The tragedy occurred early Wednesday at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the popular Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu mountains of western Turkey.
The 12-storey hotel, which housed 238 registered guests, was engulfed in flames after the fire broke out on the restaurant floor at around 3:30 a.m. local time.
Survivors recounted harrowing scenes of panic as they scrambled to escape, with some jumping from windows to evade the smoke-filled corridors.
The incident occurred at the height of Turkey's winter tourism season, as many families from Istanbul and Ankara had travelled to the Bolu mountains for skiing.
The fire has sparked widespread grief and anger in Turkey, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirming the detention of nine people, including the hotel owner, in connection with the tragedy.
Authorities are investigating the hotel's safety measures, as survivors reported that no fire alarms were activated during the incident, leaving guests to navigate the dark, smoke-filled building without guidance.
The Turkish government is working to identify victims, with DNA tests being conducted at a forensic institute.
The hotel management issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and pledged full cooperation with authorities to uncover the cause of the disaster.
President Erdoğan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning to honour the victims.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
