Daijiworld Media Network - Istanbul
Istanbul, Jul 28: Relentless forest fires continue to wreak havoc across Turkey, with the latest casualty reported from northwestern Bursa province, where a firefighter tragically lost his life while battling the fast-spreading blaze.
According to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack during operations and later succumbed at the hospital on Sunday. Two forest officials also sustained carbon monoxide poisoning while on duty, as reported by Sozcu Daily.
The wildfire, which ignited in two separate locations in Bursa on Saturday, quickly spread to three districts overnight, fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds. The mercury hit 38°C on Sunday, and forecasts indicate it could soar to 39°C by Monday, worsening fire conditions.
The Bursa Governor's Office confirmed that 1,765 residents from 480 households were safely evacuated. Media outlets reported that the fire has destroyed over 100 hectares of forest land.
Turkey has been grappling with a surge in wildfires since June 26, with numerous provinces affected. The escalating crisis has prompted Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc to announce that prosecutors have launched investigations into the causes of the fires. So far, 21 individuals have been arrested, and 47 others are under judicial supervision, according to updates posted on platform X (formerly Twitter).
This latest tragedy comes just days after one of the deadliest incidents of the season. On July 23, a fire in Eskisehir province claimed 10 lives, including five forest workers and five volunteers from the Search and Rescue Association, while 14 others were injured.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared the heartbreaking news on social media, underscoring the severe risks emergency personnel face as they battle blazes across the country.
As fires continue to rage in the face of rising temperatures, Turkey is deploying every available resource to protect lives, property, and its forests.
However, the mounting death toll and scale of destruction highlight the growing challenge posed by extreme weather events and climate-fueled disasters.