Outrage over alleged safety failures at a 12-storey hotel in Turkey has escalated into a political clash between the government and the opposition-run local authorities, after a fire killed 79 people and injured more than 50.

A day of mourning is under way in Turkey for the 79 victims of a fire that engulfed a popular ski resort hotel in the country's north-west. The fire broke out at the wooden-clad 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a busy holiday period when 234 people were staying there.

Anger was growing in Turkey on Wednesday as allegations piled up that negligence played a role in the deaths of 79 people who perished when a huge fire swept through

The United Arab Emirates has conveyed its sincere condolences and expressed solidarity with the Republic of Turkey over the victims of a fire in a hotel in Bolu Province, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.