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Questions are being raised about the safety measures at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Mountain Ski Resort.
Turkey arrested nine people in connection with the incident on Tuesday a fire in a hotel in a ski resort killed 76 people.
The arrests, announced by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Wednesday, include the hotel's owner, raising questions about the security measures in place.
The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the fire, which is believed to have started in the restaurant area of the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel, which is located in the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu Mountains.
Authorities are facing mounting criticism. Witnesses and reports suggest the hotel's fire detection system malfunctioned.
Survivors among the 238 registered guests reported that no fire alarms went off at the time of the incident and that they had to navigate the smoke-filled corridors in complete darkness.
Hotel guests described scenes of panic as they ran and jumped from windows to escape.
Yerlikaya said the bodies of 45 victims had been handed over to their families while DNA tests were carried out to identify the remaining bodies.
“Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning,” the minister told reporters outside the hotel. “But you should know that whoever is responsible for causing this pain will not escape justice.”
The hotel expressed its deep sorrow and pledged its full cooperation with the investigation.
“We are cooperating with the authorities to shed light on all aspects of this incident,” it said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the losses and want you to know that we share this pain with all our hearts.”
Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning on Wednesday. The incident is at the height of the winter tourist season.
Kartalkaya, about 295 km (183 miles) east of Istanbul, is one of Turkey's top destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season.
