Wildfire kills 10 firefighters and rescue workers in Turkey
[July 24, 2025]
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers
were killed Wednesday and many others injured while battling a wildfire
in northwestern Turkey, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.
The five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue
organization died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a
forested area of Eskisehir province, Yumakli said. At least 14 other
rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said. |
A wildfire rages across a forested area near Cavuslar village, in
Karabuk district, northwest Turkey, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Ridvan
Bostanci/IHA via AP) |
|
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.
The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing
the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It
was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven
wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that
extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in
Turkey on Thursday.
“Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and
extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million
citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution," he said.
In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought “to protect our
forests at cost of their lives.”
Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the
country's justice minister said.
Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.
An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a
wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province,
earlier this month.
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