Turkey wildfires kill at least 10 and injure 14 others 'after wind suddenly changed' as infernos continue to burn across country

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Wildfires in Turkey have killed at least 10 people and injured 14 others as raging infernos continue to burn across the holiday hotspot.
Some 10 rescue workers had their lives taken in Turkey's central Eskisehir province while battling to contain a wildfire, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Wednesday.
Firefighters and rescue teams have been battling since the early hours of Wednesday to contain a wildfire in Eskisehir's Seyitgazi district.
Despite aggressive aerial and ground efforts – including 10 helicopters, 5 firefighting planes, and 30 fire trucks – the unpredictable winds and dry conditions overwhelmed the response, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
At least 24 firefighters were reportedly trapped in the fire when the wind suddenly changed direction and blew flames towards them, Yumakli told reporters.
They were immediately taken to hospital, but 10 of them died, while treatment for 14 others were ongoing, the minister added.
According to Yumakli, five of the victims were forest workers, while the other five were members of the post-disaster search and rescue association AKUT's team, who were assisting with the operation.
The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences, stating: 'I have learned with great sorrow that five forest workers and five AKUT volunteers were martyred in the Eskişehir fire.
'I extend my condolences to their families and to our nation.'
The fire broke out in the Seyitgazi district of Eskisehir on July 22 and later spread to neighboring Afyonkarahisar's İhsaniye district, prompting a large-scale response from both ground and aerial firefighting teams.
The fire quickly engulfed dense pine forests known for spreading flames through flying embers, leaving firefighters little room to maneuver.
Initial investigations suggest a power line malfunction may have sparked the fire, although arson has not been ruled out.
By evening, the fire had consumed an estimated 3,700 acres of forest, forcing evacuations of approximately 1,200 residents from nearby villages coordinated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
Beyond human casualties, the fire devastated local livestock, killing at least 50 farm animals. Turkey's Red Crescent provided critical aid for evacuees displaced by the fire.
Seven wildfires were still burning in five central and western Turkish provinces on Wednesday, Yumakli said.
Turkey has been sweltering since Sunday under temperatures between six to 12 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norms, according to weather forecasters.
Several fires have been declared across the country in the tinder-box conditions.
The country battled 11 major wildfires on July 23 alone, nine of which broke out during the day, according to Yumakli.
Authorities have now launched a thorough investigation, analysing satellite data and on-the-ground evidence.
A preliminary report is expected by July 30, with a focus on identifying precise causes and preventing future tragedies.
Minister Yumaklı announced plans to recruit 5,000 additional forestry workers and expand aerial firefighting capacity by adding 10 more planes by 2026.
In a statement following Wednesday's deaths, the minister said: 'My condolences to our entire country.
'We are experiencing a very painful evening. Ten of our forest workers were martyred while trying to extinguish the fires. We are currently shutting down that area.
'We can't believe how this happened in such a small forest, not a very large one. They had already escaped danger yesterday, and we were very happy, but today we lost martyrs,' the minister added.
'While responding to a forest fire that broke out in Eskisehir and reached the border of Afyonkarahisar, 19 of our forestry workers and five searching and rescuing volunteers were trapped in the fire due to adverse winds. Fourteen of our forestry workers are receiving treatment in hospitals,' he said.
Scientists have long warned that burning fossil fuels is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more likely and more intense.
Experts link the surge to climate change-induced drought and heatwaves that have extended fire seasons and increased fire intensity across the Mediterranean region.