Wildfires have erupted again along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, forcing evacuations in Antalya and nearby cities. The government has declared Izmir and Bilecik disaster zones, as intense heat and strong winds fuel the flames. Over 12,000 workers are battling the fires, which have destroyed hundreds of homes and claimed 13 lives so far.
nvn news
Sat Jul 26 2025
Wildfires have once again flared up along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, with flames reaching dangerously close to homes and tourist hotspots like Antalya and Manavgat. On Friday, smoke and fire were seen near apartment buildings in Antalya, forcing people in the city center and Aksu district to evacuate.
The fires have become so intense that major coastal roads were closed. Locals, armed with hoses and buckets, joined firefighters, helicopters, planes, and even police water cannons in trying to stop the spread.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik are now officially disaster zones due to the fires. From June 27 to July 24, people in 120 neighborhoods across the country have been evacuated, and over 12,000 personnel have been involved in firefighting and rescue work.
Sadly, the wildfires have claimed 13 lives so far, including 10 firefighters who died in Eskisehir on Thursday. Across three provinces, 311 homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged, and the government has set up 85 temporary shelters for those who lost their homes.
New fires also broke out in Adana and Mersin on Friday, while blazes in Eskisehir and Karabuk continue to burn. High temperatures, strong winds, and dry weather are making it harder to control the fires, which have now become a nationwide emergency.
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