Olympic Skier Berkin Usta Dies at 25 After Fire at Turkish Resort

Turkish Olympic skier Berkin Usta and his father, Yahya—who was the president of Turkish Ski and Snowboard Teachers Association—died in a fire at the closed Kervansaray Hotel in Turkey, according to the Associated Press.

Berkin Usta was 25 years old.

"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," Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak said in a statement.

The hotel had closed in early January after the cancellation of its accommodation permit. At the time of the fire, however, Berkin Usta, his father, his mother and 12 staff members were at the hotel. Several survivors were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.

It is unclear why the Usta family was staying at the hotel on the fifth floor, or if they were members of the staff. The hotel manager had since been detained in regard to the incident.

Berkin Usta represented Turkey at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, competing in slalom and giant slalom. He didn't place in slalom and finished 43rd in giant slalom.