As firefighters battled a string of wildfires, rescuers in Turkey evacuated more than 50 000 people, mostly from the western province of Izmir, according to the AFAD disaster agency, on Monday.
The worst fire broke out on Sunday in Seferihisar, a forested region 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Izmir, spreading quickly and causing winds of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles per hour), according to officials.
Over 50, 000 people from 41 settlements have been temporarily relocated to safe areas, according to AFAD, who claims 79 people have experienced smoke and other fire-related issues, none of which are serious.
42, 300 people were forced to leave Seferihisar, where TV footage showed massive flame raging through forested areas and causing massive black smoke-filled clouds to fall into the sky.
According to footage from the private TV network NTV, the fire destroyed around 20 evacuated homes overnight, with only the walls standing.
GREE Declares Emergency On Chios Over Wildfires
As the flames spread, residents of the seaside village of Urkmez reportedly smashed trees to make firebreaks and protect their homes on Sunday.
The wind is still blowing very strongly, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported to reporters on Monday afternoon.
Over the weekend, the Turkish State Meteorological Service issued a warning about strong winds.
Briefly Suspended Flights
With the aid of 106 fire trucks, 14 helicopters, and four planes, Yumakli claimed that more than 1, 000 people had been dispatched to the blaze.
Another 3, 000 people were reportedly evacuated from Manisa, 40 kilometers north of Izmir, according to AFAD.
The governor claimed that 1,500 people were forced to leave their homes in the southern Hatay region, where a fire erupted about 10 kilometers north of the city of Antakya, using four helicopters, 211 fire engines, and 540 firefighters.
According to AFAD, 850 others were forced to flee from two more wildfires in northwest Turkey.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc reported on X that one person had been detained for allegedly using gasoline to start one of the wildfires in the Izmir region.
Without providing further details, he wrote, “The suspect is alleged to have set fire to their own residence, which later set off a forest fire.”
According to the agriculture and forestry ministry, 263 fires have erupted in Turkey since Friday, of which 259 are under control while efforts are being made to contain the other four.
Turkish media reported that the Izmir airport resumed operations after temporarily suspending flights on Sunday.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) website, nearly 19 000 hectares of land have been destroyed in Turkey so far this year.
Experts have warned Turkey to take action to combat the problem, claiming that human-caused climate change is making wildfires and other natural disasters more frequent and more severe.
Source: Channels TV
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