Latest news with #IbrahimYamukli


Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Wildfires Threaten Türkiye's Fourth-largest City as Locals are Evacuated
Wildfires that have engulfed Türkiye for weeks threatened the country's fourth-largest city early Sunday, causing hundreds of people to flee their homes. Overnight fires in the forested mountains surrounding Bursa in northwest Türkiye spread rapidly, bringing a red glow to the night sky over the city's eastern suburbs. Bursa governor's office said in a statement Sunday that 1,765 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, described the scene as 'an apocalypse.' By morning, lessening winds brought some respite to firefighters, who continued efforts to bring down the flames. However, TV footage revealed an ashen landscape where farms and pine forests had earlier stood. Türkiye has been hit by dozens of wildfires daily since late June. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli said fire crews across the country confronted 76 separate blazes Saturday. The fires are being fueled by unseasonally high temperatures, dry conditions and string winds. The General Directorate of Meteorology said Türkiye recorded its highest ever temperature, 50.5C (122.9F) in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The highest temperatures for July were seen in 132 other locations, it added. Yamukli said the country's northwest was under the greatest threat, including Karabuk, where wildfires have burned since Tuesday. Thirteen people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir in western Türkiye. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said late Saturday that prosecutors had investigated fires in 33 provinces since June 26, adding that legal action had been taken against 97 suspects. The severity of the fires led the government to declare two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday.


Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Southern Europe burns as 'apocalyptic' wildfires rage in holiday hotspots after Turkey and Greece surge above 44C
'Apocalyptic' wildfires have engulfed Southern Europe with several holiday hotspots threatened by the blazes and residents forced to flee their homes. Wild infernos have struck Montenegro and Albania while also causing devastation in Turkey and Greece where temperatures have soared above 44C. Smoke rose from charred tree branches near Montenegro's capital Podgorica today while huge flames could be seen dangerously close to city tower blocks. Meanwhile, fire tore through landscapes near Bulqiza, Albania, this weekend as emergency services desperately tried to tame the blaze. The fires are being ignited by unseasonably high temperatures, as well as dry conditions and strong winds. Overnight, flames obliterated the forested mountains surrounding Bursa city in northwest Turkey, shining a threatening red glow on the sky. It marked the latest city to be hit by deadly blazes this summer - as Cyprus also fell victim to aggressive wildfires amid unusually hot weather. The governor's office in Bursa said more than 1,760 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed off as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, likened the scene to 'an apocalypse'. Turkey has been hit by dozens of wildfires every day since late June - with Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli revealing fire crews across the country approached 76 separate blazes yesterday alone. The General Directorate of Meteorology said Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature - 50.5C (122.9F) - within the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The same day, homes and holiday properties burnt down in popular holiday hotspot Cyprus. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice in response to the devastation on the island. Warning of 'active wildfires', the government highlighted the Paphos and Limassol districts as some of the affected areas, located in the south of Cyprus. It added: 'Transport and infrastructure (electricity, water) links in locations close to the fires may be affected whilst the authorities respond to the situation.' Though the FCDO noted the airports in Paphos and Larnaca are 'operating as normal'. 'If you are due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires, contact your travel operator or accommodation provider before you travel to check that it is not currently impacted. Make sure you have appropriate insurance,' the advice read. The Foreign Office also included recommendations for those in the area or affected by the wildfires. 'Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires. You should follow the guidance of the emergency services,' it stated. 'Call the Cypriot Emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger. 'Contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with information relating travel back to the UK.' And yesterday, British tourists were put on alert as Greece wildfires spread amid a 44C heatwave - as a blaze tore through the capital of Athens. The southern European country was first hit with the scorching temperatures on Monday and they have not relented throughout the week. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the capital on Friday. Shocking pictures showed homes ablaze while residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate.


Sky News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Firefighters tackle blazes as wildfires break out in Greece, Turkey and Albania
Firefighters are battling blazes that have broken out across several countries in southeast Europe, fuelled by dry conditions, high winds and extreme temperatures. A firefighter has died and thousands of people have been evacuated in a weekend that has seen dozens of fires scorch forests and burn houses to the ground. More than 50 wildfires have erupted in Greece in the past 24 hours, leading to evacuations in some Athens suburbs and a request to the EU for six firefighting planes. A politician in Turkey's fourth-largest city of Bursa described the scene as "an apocalypse" as forests burned and more than 1,100 firefighters tried to control the flames. Turkey Wildfires have engulfed Turkey for weeks, and on Friday the government declared two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas. Fire crews confronted 76 separate blazes across the country on Saturday, forestry minister Ibrahim Yamukli said. Almost 1,800 people were forced to flee their homes in villages to the northeast of Bursa, where a firefighter died from a heart attack while on the job, the city's mayor, Mustafa Bozbey, said. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, described the scene as "an apocalypse". Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature of 50.5C (123F) in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. Fourteen people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed on Wednesday in a fire in the west of the country. Greece Parts of Athens have been evacuated after more than 50 wildfires broke out in 24 hours. People living in the suburb of Kryoneri, around 12.5 miles (20 km) northeast of the Greek capital, were told to move to safe areas on Saturday. At least five people, most of them elderly with respiratory problems, have been treated in hospital for burns or smoke inhalation. Photos showed houses and tree-covered hills on fire as temperatures hit 38C (100F) and dry conditions and high winds fanned the flames. Fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said that under such conditions, wildfires "expand very quickly and become dangerous", adding: "These conditions are expected to prevail over the coming days." There have been reports of damage, he said, and authorities "will take stock when the fires have been put out". At least 335 firefighters are also battling three major fires on Greece's two largest islands - Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens - and also on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete. Albania In neighbouring Albania, 26 fires broke out throughout the country on Saturday, following a large fire near the southern Albanian town of Delvina on Friday, which injured three people and forced the evacuation of about 2,000 residents. Kosovo In Kosovo, firefighters managed to extinguish 17 blazes fuelled by strong winds while 12 others remained active, officials said. Eight cows were killed in the southern town of Prizren, after a fire engulfed a farm, local emergency services said while 40 sheep died in a fire in the east of the country.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires threaten Turkey's fourth-largest city as locals are evacuated
ISTANBUL (AP) — Wildfires that have engulfed Turkey for weeks threatened the country's fourth-largest city early Sunday, causing hundreds of people to flee their homes. Overnight fires in the forested mountains surrounding Bursa in northwest Turkey spread rapidly, bringing a red glow to the night sky over the city's eastern suburbs. Bursa governor's office said in a statement Sunday that 1,765 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, described the scene as 'an apocalypse.' By morning, lessening winds brought some respite to firefighters, who continued efforts to bring down the flames. However, TV footage revealed an ashen landscape where farms and pine forests had earlier stood. Turkey has been hit by dozens of wildfires daily since late June. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli said fire crews across the country confronted 76 separate blazes Saturday. The fires are being fueled by unseasonally high temperatures, dry conditions and string winds. The General Directorate of Meteorology said Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature, 50.5C (122.9F) in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The highest temperatures for July were seen in 132 other locations, it added. Yamukli said the country's northwest was under the greatest threat, including Karabuk, where wildfires have burned since Tuesday. Thirteen people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir in western Turkey. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said late Saturday that prosecutors had investigated fires in 33 provinces since June 26, adding that legal action had been taken against 97 suspects. The severity of the fires led the government to declare two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday.


The Independent
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Hundreds flee as wildfires spread rapidly to Turkey's fourth-largest city
Wildfires that have engulfed Turkey for weeks threatened the country's fourth-largest city early Sunday, causing hundreds of people to flee their homes. Overnight fires in the forested mountains surrounding Bursa in northwest Turkey spread rapidly, bringing a red glow to the night sky over the city's eastern suburbs. Bursa governor's office said in a statement Sunday that 1,765 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, described the scene as 'an apocalypse.' By morning, lessening winds brought some respite to firefighters, who continued efforts to bring down the flames. However, TV footage revealed an ashen landscape where farms and pine forests had earlier stood. Turkey has been hit by dozens of wildfires daily since late June. Forestry minister Ibrahim Yamukli said fire crews across the country confronted 76 separate blazes Saturday. The fires are being fuelled by unseasonally high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds. The General Directorate of Meteorology said Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature, 50.5C (122.9F) in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The highest temperatures for July were seen in 132 other locations, it added. Mr Yamukli said the country's northwest was under the greatest threat, including Karabuk, where wildfires have burned since Tuesday. Thirteen people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir in western Turkey. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said late Saturday that prosecutors had investigated fires in 33 provinces since June 26, adding that legal action had been taken against 97 suspects. The severity of the fires led the government to declare two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday.