Hundreds Forced to Evacuate as Wildfire Engulfs Turkish City
A wildfire has engulfed a city in Turkey, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The blaze has rapidly spread, raising concerns for public safety and leading local authorities to take action to ensure the safety of the community.
TroibNews 
A wildfire in the western port city of Izmir, Türkiye, has encroached upon residential areas, causing the displacement of hundreds, according to local news sources on Saturday.
Originating in the Karsiyaka district, the blaze reached its third day and advanced into nearby homes and a local industrial area early Saturday morning. NTV broadcaster disclosed that evacuations were mandated in three neighborhoods.
According to Hurriyet daily, around 900 people have been evacuated so far. NTV, drawing on information from the Health Ministry, mentioned that there have been no injuries or deaths reported. Firefighting efforts were ramped up at the crack of dawn.
"The entire city was shrouded in dense smoke," shared Yasemin Yavuz, a 47-year-old teacher from Karsiyaka, during a phone call with Xinhua. "Ash was raining down from the sky and filling our home," she added. "We were terrified and, by late evening, realized we had no choice but to flee. We quickly packed what we could and rushed to our relatives' home in a nearby city."
Mehmet Ozicel, informed Xinhua that he and his family tried to stay in their home until late Friday, sealing all openings to keep the smoke at bay. Fear, however, drove them out shortly after midnight.
Posts on social media indicated that the fire had also reached several barns, prompting calls for assistance in rescuing livestock. Pictures circulating online showed both officials and volunteers moving dogs to safer locations.
The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, cautioned that the upcoming week could see extremely high winds, high temperatures, and very low humidity. He urged the public to avoid setting any fires outdoors if possible.
Yumakli updated reporters on Saturday about the nationwide situation: out of 72 fires, 45 have been contained, with efforts continuing to manage the remaining 27.
(Cover: Smoke and flames are visible following a significant fire in the Yamanlar Karatepe area of Izmir's Karsiyaka district, Türkiye, dated August 16, 2024. /CFP)
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Originating in the Karsiyaka district, the blaze reached its third day and advanced into nearby homes and a local industrial area early Saturday morning. NTV broadcaster disclosed that evacuations were mandated in three neighborhoods.
According to Hurriyet daily, around 900 people have been evacuated so far. NTV, drawing on information from the Health Ministry, mentioned that there have been no injuries or deaths reported. Firefighting efforts were ramped up at the crack of dawn.
"The entire city was shrouded in dense smoke," shared Yasemin Yavuz, a 47-year-old teacher from Karsiyaka, during a phone call with Xinhua. "Ash was raining down from the sky and filling our home," she added. "We were terrified and, by late evening, realized we had no choice but to flee. We quickly packed what we could and rushed to our relatives' home in a nearby city."
Mehmet Ozicel, informed Xinhua that he and his family tried to stay in their home until late Friday, sealing all openings to keep the smoke at bay. Fear, however, drove them out shortly after midnight.
Posts on social media indicated that the fire had also reached several barns, prompting calls for assistance in rescuing livestock. Pictures circulating online showed both officials and volunteers moving dogs to safer locations.
The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, cautioned that the upcoming week could see extremely high winds, high temperatures, and very low humidity. He urged the public to avoid setting any fires outdoors if possible.
Yumakli updated reporters on Saturday about the nationwide situation: out of 72 fires, 45 have been contained, with efforts continuing to manage the remaining 27.
(Cover: Smoke and flames are visible following a significant fire in the Yamanlar Karatepe area of Izmir's Karsiyaka district, Türkiye, dated August 16, 2024. /CFP)
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
