Latest News

Two people killed in wildfires in western Turkey; a little-known group accuses arson

Wildfires in Turkey's western Izmir Province killed a second individual on Tuesday, as they raged across many regions for the seventh consecutive day. Meanwhile, a group with little known ties to Kurdish extremists claimed responsibility for dozens of arson incidents.

Anadolu, the Turkish state news agency, reported that the latest victim was Ibrahim Demir, a backhoe driver who died fighting the fires in Odemis.

A man, 81, who was bedridden and living alone in the same neighborhood, died earlier when the fires reached his home. This marked the first death that has occurred since the fires started.

According to an online statement, a group calling themselves "Children of Fire", claimed responsibility for "tens of blazes" in six Turkish cities.

The group is not well-known, but claims to be affiliated with the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a group that has been designated as terrorism by Turkey, United States, and European Union. The PKK has not responded to the claim. In May, it announced that its 40-year-old insurgency was coming to an end and that they were disbanding.

Anadolu reported that firefighting continued in Izmir with the use of helicopters and planes, which dropped water on mountainous terrain. Authorities also closed roads leading to the Aegean holiday resort town Cesme.

As water tankers approached, broadcasters showed footage of flames on the main highway.

Scientists call the area around Turkey, Greece and countries of the Mediterranean "a hotspot for wildfires" because they are prone to blazes during hot and dry Summers. The climate has changed rapidly in the last few years, making these fires more destructive.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that wildfires in the west of Turkey have destroyed around 200 homes. The victims were provided with alternative housing. Around 50,000 people temporarily evacuated from fire-prone areas earlier this week due to high temperatures, low humidities and strong winds.

Anadolu reported that new fires broke out in Antalya, a resort in Turkey's south, and in forest areas near Istanbul. The authorities have been able to put out several of the fires. Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Ece Toksabay and Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Bernadettebaum and Mark Heinrich

(source: Reuters)