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Turkey wildfires rage out of control: 31 arrested for arson

Devastating wildfires rage across Turkey’s Izmir, Hatay and Adana provinces, forcing mass evacuations. Authorities arrest 31 suspects for arson as flames continue

Turkey wildfires rage out of control: 31 arrested for arson
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The battle against flames in three provinces of Turkey continues, as Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı emphasized earlier. Additionally, as he announced, five villages and two neighborhoods in Izmir were evacuated, while fires rage in Manisa and Hatay, as strong winds cause continuous re-ignitions.

Read: Fire rages in Izmir: Settlement evacuations, houses burned – Tough battle with re-ignitions and strong winds

Izmir fires: 31 arrests for arson

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, immediately after the Cabinet meeting, stated that “since June 1st, 1,516 forest fires have been recorded, of which 1,507 have been brought under control,” emphasizing that almost all are due to arson. As he announced, arrests for arson have reached 31 so far.

“We are confronting the fires with a fleet of 27 aircraft, 105 helicopters, 14 UAVs, nearly 6,000 water tankers and emergency response vehicles, as well as 25,000 forest heroes,” the Turkish president stated characteristically, calling on citizens to show maximum caution for protecting their forests over the next two months.

According to Turkish network NTV, four fires from the last two days in Izmir have been brought under control, but seven fronts remain active, two of which are located in Kula and Ahmetli in Manisa. Fires are also ongoing in Adana.

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