Berkin Usta, 25-year-old Olympic skier, killed in fire at ski resort

Olympic Skier Berkin Usta and Father Killed in Ski Resort Fire in Turkey

Olympic skier Berkin Usta and his father were tragically killed in a fire at a ski resort in Turkey on Thursday morning. Berkin Usta, aged 25, had represented Turkey in the 2022 Olympics. His father, Yahya Usta, was the president of the Turkish Ski and Snowboard Teachers Association.

Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident, stating, “I learned with deep sorrow that our national athlete Berkin Usta and his father Yahya Usta lost their lives in the fire that broke out in the hotel.”

While Berkin’s mother survived, the Ustas were staying on the second-highest level of the six-floor hotel when the fire broke out.

The Kervansaray Hotel, located near Istanbul, was closed to the public at the time of the fire, but 12 staff members were present. The exact reason for the Ustas’ presence at the closed hotel remains unclear.

Several people were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation, and the fire, which started in the cafeteria at 5:30 a.m., was brought under control after two hours. The upper floors of the hotel suffered severe damage.

The hotel manager was reportedly detained following the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and why there were individuals inside the closed hotel.

Mayor Mustafa Bozbey highlighted that the hotel had been inspected in January, with deficiencies identified and reported to relevant authorities. The closure of the hotel due to permit issues adds to the questions surrounding the tragic event.

Earlier this year, another ski resort in Turkey, the Grand Kartal hotel, experienced a fire that resulted in the loss of 79 lives, emphasizing the importance of safety measures in such establishments.