Magikoy (Turkey): Forest fires continue to wreak havoc near beaches and surrounding countryside in Turkey’s Antalya and Mugla for the fifth day. On the other hand, the death toll rose to eight as more bodies were found, while houses of several villagers were damaged and their cattle were also killed. There has also been a fire in Magikoy in Mugla province and villagers have also been evacuated from there. Farmer Nuratan Almazi told that he has lost everything.
“I am in a lot of pain, I have lost a child of mine,” he said. The 63-year-old woman has also lost her cattle and house. He has demanded the death penalty for those responsible for the fire. Bodrum mayor Ahmed Aras said people near Krotam and Maji had to suffer “hell” because of the fire on Sunday evening. He said that the fire has not been brought under control and we are hoping that we will be able to save the residential areas but now it is too late to save the trees. The Turkish broadcaster said the entire area was engulfed in fire on Sunday night. Journalists said they had to leave immediately as the fire was growing rapidly due to strong winds.
Adequate arrangements have been made to protect the two thermal power plants in the area, officials said. The European Commission announced that it had sent one Canadian firefighting aircraft from Croatia and two from Spain to aid Turkey. Planes from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran are also helping. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that at least 27 people who were hit by the fire are being treated in hospitals. At the same time, eight people have died so far. Ban and Agriculture Minister Baker Pakdemirli said the forest fires in 117 places were “under control” and the fires were still wreaking havoc in eight places. About 32 provinces have been affected by this.
