The death toll from a fire that ripped through a hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey rose to 76 people, according to the interior minister.

“Unfortunately, the number of dead is now 76,” said Ali Yerlikaya, updating an earlier figure of 66 people dead and adding that 52 of the victims had been identified so far.

Some 51 people were also injured in the blaze, Mr Yerlikaya said at the Kartalkaya ski resort.

The fire began around 3.30am local time on the restaurant floor of the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel, authorities said.

Several fire engines and ambulances surrounded the charred, wood-fronted building, with white bed sheets tied together and dangling from one upper-floor window where people tried to flee.