Raging forest fire in Izmir reaches residential areas, thousands evacuated
The fire, which began on Thursday night in the northern part of the city for unknown reasons, has already led to significant damage.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - A devastating forest fire in Izmir, Turkey, has rapidly spread due to strong winds, reaching residential areas and forcing the evacuation of numerous homes and businesses.
Thick smoke now blankets the city, one of Turkey's key tourist centers.
Over 3,000 rescuers and firefighters are currently battling the blaze near the coastal city of Izmir.
The fire, which began on Thursday night in the northern part of the city for unknown reasons, has already led to significant damage.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on the social media platform X that approximately 1,440 people from two heavily affected areas have been evacuated to safety.
#Manisa’nın Gördes ve Salihli ilçelerinde meydana gelen orman yangınlarını söndürme çalışmaları devam ediyor.
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) August 16, 2024
Yangının yerleşim yerlerini tehdit etmesi sebebiyle AFAD, Jandarma ve Polisimizin koordinesinde;
📍Karayakup Köyü 60,
📍Yeniköy Mahallesi 260,
📍Kale Mahallesi 200,…
The firefighting efforts in Izmir are massive, involving five water-sprinkling planes, 15 helicopters, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman confirmed that nearly 2,965 additional rescue personnel with 600 vehicles are participating in the operation to control the fire in Izmir province, located on the Aegean coast.
According to Turkey’s Anadolu Ajansı news agency, the fire has caused significant damage in the northern industrial area of Karşıyaka. Mayor Jamil Togay reported that flames had damaged 30 shops, and a 10-story residential building caught fire.
The Turkish Ministry of Health has stated that 78 people have been injured due to the fire, with 29 of them still receiving treatment in hospitals.
Images broadcast by the state TV channel "TRT" showed the roof of the 10-story residential building in Karsiyaka collapsing as it continued to burn. The strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, have complicated efforts to combat the fire in the region.
The city center of Izmir is now shrouded in thick smoke. Home to more than four million people, Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city. Its coastal areas along the Aegean Sea are among the country’s most popular tourist destinations.