Latest news with #AKUT
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Turkey mourns 5 volunteer firefighters killed battling wildfires
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The funerals of five rescue volunteers killed while battling a wildfire were held on Thursday in Turkey's capital. Grieving family and friends of the five members of the AKUT rescue organization were joined by leading politicians and crowds of mourning citizens at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara. They died alongside five forestry workers Wednesday while trying to put out a wildfire raging through a forested area in the northwestern Eskisehir province, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said. The bodies of all 10 were earlier brought to a forensic facility in Ankara for identification. The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26. Yumakli said that winds suddenly changed direction on Wednesday, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It wasn't clear what caused the fire. Personal details of those who died emerged, including a 28-year-old forestry worker who had returned to work from his honeymoon just two days earlier. One AKUT volunteer had spent a month rescuing the victims of a catastrophic earthquake that struck southern Turkey in February 2023. Meanwhile, farmers in the neighboring province of Bilecik helped combat a separate fire by running convoys of tractors hauling water tanks to the blaze. An older man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
Associated Press
24-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Turkey mourns 5 volunteer firefighters killed battling wildfires
ISTANBUL (AP) — The funerals of five rescue volunteers killed while battling a wildfire were held on Thursday in Turkey's capital. Grieving family and friends of the five members of the AKUT rescue organization were joined by leading politicians and crowds of mourning citizens at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara. They died alongside five forestry workers Wednesday while trying to put out a wildfire raging through a forested area in the northwestern Eskisehir province, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said. The bodies of all 10 were earlier brought to a forensic facility in Ankara for identification. The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26. Yumakli said that winds suddenly changed direction on Wednesday, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It wasn't clear what caused the fire. Personal details of those who died emerged, including a 28-year-old forestry worker who had returned to work from his honeymoon just two days earlier. One AKUT volunteer had spent a month rescuing the victims of a catastrophic earthquake that struck southern Turkey in February 2023. Meanwhile, farmers in the neighboring province of Bilecik helped combat a separate fire by running convoys of tractors hauling water tanks to the blaze. An older man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
CNN
24-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Raging wildfires in Turkey kill at least 10 firefighters and rescue workers
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed Wednesday and many others injured while battling a wildfire in northwestern Turkey, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. The five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue organization died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said. The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in Turkey on Thursday. 'Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution,' he said. In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought 'to protect our forests at cost of their lives.' Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the country's justice minister said. Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26. An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
CNN
24-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Raging wildfires in Turkey kill at least 10 firefighters and rescue workers
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed Wednesday and many others injured while battling a wildfire in northwestern Turkey, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. The five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue organization died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said. The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in Turkey on Thursday. 'Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution,' he said. In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought 'to protect our forests at cost of their lives.' Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the country's justice minister said. Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26. An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
ITV News
24-07-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
Europe wildfires: What fires in Cyprus, Turkey and Greece mean for summer travel
More than a dozen people have been killed, with homes destroyed and villages evacuated as wildfires rage across Turkey, Cyprus and Greece. At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers have been killed battling blazes in northwestern Turkey, with seven fires still burning across the country. In Cyprus, the bodies of two people were found inside a burnt out car as a wildfire tore through more than 100 square kilometres on the island. Weather conditions show no signs of easing. ITV News explains the situation in each country, and whether travel will be affected. Turkey Seven fires are currently burning across Turkey, including one in Eskisehir which killed five forestry workers and five members of rescue organisation, AKUT. At least 14 other people have been injured. Turkey's Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround forest workers. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Mr Yumakli said extreme heat and volatile wind conditions are continuing across Turkey. "We are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts," he said. "Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution." So far this year, 13 people have been killed in wildfires in Turkey which have been burning since June 26. Cyprus In Cyprus, at least two people have died, homes have been destroyed and towns evacuated as a wildfire tore through more than 100 square kilometres. More than a dozen villages on the southern side of the island have been evacuated with residents forced into temporary shelters. At least 20 homes have reportedly been destroyed in the village of Lofou. The local fire service said while there were currently no active fire fronts, winds were expected to increase later on Thursday which could be problematic for firefighters still battling flare-ups. Up to 14 aircraft are carrying out water drops over hard-to-reach areas, with Spain and Jordan also deploying helicopters to help. An RAF Chinook helicopter that operates from one of two British Bases on Cyprus is also assisting. Cyprus has been on high alert for fires this summer after three consecutive arid winters. Greece A major forest fire broke out near the city of Corinth on Tuesday, prompting authorities to evacuate several villages there. It flared up again on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of three other villages. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze in pine forest in the mountains, where at least seven homes have been destroyed. Two men were arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. What does it mean for people travelling to these areas? The Foreign Office is not advising against British residents travelling to these areas. But it has warned there is a high risk of wildfires in Turkey, Cyprus and Greece during the summer season from April to October. It advises people travelling to these countries to ensure their mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts warning of wildfires near their location.
