Thousands of tourists and residents had to be evacuated as wildfires continued to spread near popular tourist destinations in Turkey on Sunday and Monday. Major fires burned near the coastal cities of Antalya and Mugla, forcing the government to issue evacuation orders.
Minister of Forestry and Agriculture, Bekir Pakdemirli, said firefighters are still attempting to control five major wildfires. He said at least 107 minor fires were now "under control." At least six people - including two firefighters - have been killed by the raging blazes.
The fires, which started in 32 different provinces last week, burned through forests and farmland. The blaze sent temperatures soaring throughout the region. As the flames encroached on settlements and other urban areas, thousands were forced to leave their homes.
One Antalya resident, who had lost his home to the balze, told reporters that they now had nothing left but the clothes they are wearing. He said when the blaze came, they could do nothing but watch their house burn down.
Over the weekend, hotels and resorts in Antalya and Mugla were forced to evacuate their guests as the fire swept downhill towards the shoreline. Rescue workers, including local police and volunteers, worked to put out the flames.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally visited some of the affected areas to inspect the damage. Erdogan said that the government would cover the rents of the people who had lost their homes because of the fire. He said credit card payments and taxes will be postponed for those affected.
"We cannot do anything beyond wishing the mercy of God for the lives we have lost but we can replace everything that was burned," Erdogan said during a news conference.
Meteorologists said the fires may have been caused by several heat waves moving through the Mediterranean and Aegean coastal regions. While wildfires are common in some parts of Turkey, the blaze that hit the region this week is believed to be one of the worst in years.
Apart from Turkey, large wildfires have also been burning in some parts of Italy and Greece. Firefighters in Italy are currently battling several wildfires in the southern island of Sicily, which have been burning since Saturday.
