“Apocalyptic Scenes” – Wildfires Consume Turkey
Wildfires have been ravaging Turkey’s Mediterranean coast for the past few days, killing four, burning thousands of building structures, and affecting more than a dozen provinces.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin called the wildfires a national disaster.
According to Reuters, at least 60 wildfires have broken out across the country’s Mediterranean and southern Aegean region.
Forestry Minister Pakdemirli said 4,000 firefighters, 680 firefighting vehicles, 38 helicopters, nine drones, and three planes battle the wildfires.
“We were hoping to contain some of the fires as of this morning but while we say cautiously that they are improving, we still cannot say they are under control,” Pakdemirli said.
DW correspondent Julia Hahn tweeted scenes from Manavgat in Antalya province showing “apocalyptic scenes” of one wildfire.
Social media is full of horrifying videos of the wildfires.
Senior scientist of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Mark Parrington used satellite data to determine the “deadly scale” of the wildfires and shows which coastal areas are most affected.
Another view of the wildfires from space.
There’s still no word how the destructive fires began, but one government says “sabotage” cannot be ruled out.
Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidential communications director, said “comprehensive investigations” are being launched into the origins of the wildfires.
“Those responsible will have to account for the attacks against nature and forests,” Altun tweeted.
Turkey has been plagued with a heat wave like much of southeast Europe.
In neighboring Greece, authorities warned the public against the heightened risk of wildfires during the latest heat wave.
“A difficult weather phenomenon is coming in the next days with extremely high temperatures and several days of heat wave,” Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said. “I call on – I urge – everyone to show the highest degree of responsibility and cooperation.”
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