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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Independent
12 people killed as wildfires blaze in Cyprus and Turkey
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in north-western Turkey, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. The five forestry workers and five members of the Akut rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Mr Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were in hospital, he said. Two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire also tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave. At least 100 square kilometres was razed to the ground in a wine-producing region north of the city of Limassol after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning. Two people were found dead in a burned-out vehicle, trapped by the fire. At least 10 people were injured, two of them seriously, police said. As dawn broke, a red hue hung over Limassol, a sprawling coastal city where development in recent years has spilled over to its surrounding mountains. Firefighting aircraft were redeployed at first light after darkness forced a pause. Authorities said it was too early to give a precise account of damage, or what started the fire. "We are talking about very strong winds, with gusts, which were constantly interchanging," fire brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis said. Temperatures on the island peaked at 43 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, triggering an amber weather alert. A new amber warning was in place on Thursday, with highs forecast to hit 44 degrees Celsius - the hottest of the year so far. Cyprus has requested help through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain expected to send two aircraft on Thursday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. Jordan has also pledged assistance. Cyprus has struggled with a protracted drought, pushing scarce water resources to critically low levels. The affected area sits just north of Cyprus's Kouris reservoir, the island's largest. It was at just 15.5 opcf its capacity on Wednesday. he 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. In Turkey, firefighters are 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.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Wildfire kills 10 firefighters and rescue workers in Turkey
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in north-western Turkey, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. The five forestry workers and five members of the Akut rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Mr Yumakli said. Advertisement At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were in hospital, 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. Advertisement Mr 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. Advertisement 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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire kills 10 firefighters and rescue workers in Turkey
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in north-western Turkey, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. The five forestry workers and five members of the Akut rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Mr Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were in hospital, 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. Mr 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.
