01-07-2025
Rescuers battle Izmir wildfires as strong winds cause blazes to spread — in pictures
Thousands of people fled wildfires raging across western Turkey as rescuers contained a string of blazes for a third day. Fires have swept through parts of Izmir, Bilecik, Hatay, Sakarya, and Manisa provinces, according to Turkey's disaster and emergency management authority. Forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Monday that strong winds reaching 40-50kph winds fanned the flames in Kuyucak and Doganbey areas of Izmir. Turkey's emergency teams have responded to 263 wildfires nationwide, Mr Yumakli said. Late on Monday, the disaster agency said that 'a total of over 50,000 citizens from 41 settlements have been temporarily relocated to safe areas'. Read more: Europe swelters under heatwave as summer wildfires rage
