Tragic Loss: Ten Lives Claimed by Wildfires in Turkey

In a heart-wrenching episode, ten dedicated individuals have died while combating raging wildfires in Turkey's Eskisehir province amidst a severe heatwave.

At least ten forest and rescue workers have tragically lost their lives while engaging in firefighting efforts in Turkey's central Eskisehir province. The incident occurred when a sudden change in wind direction left around 24 forestry employees and volunteers "trapped inside the fire," according to Turkey's Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Ibrahim Yumakli. Among the deceased are five forestry workers and five volunteers from the AKUT rescue organization. Additionally, 14 forest workers were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during their heroic efforts.

The wildfire, which ignited in the Seyitgazi district Tuesday morning, quickly spread to adjacent areas, prompting emergency responses from local teams. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his sorrow on social media platform X, stating, "I pray for God's mercy on our brothers and sisters who fought at the cost of their lives to protect our forests, and I offer my condolences to their families and our nation." Local lawmaker Nebi Hatipoglu reflected the community's sorrow, emphasizing their deep grief over the loss of "heroic forest workers who were martyred while fighting the flames.”

With temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country, wildfires are currently raging in five regions: Sakarya, Bilecik, Eskisehir, İzmir, Karabuk, and Manisa. This summer, hundreds of wildfires have erupted in Turkey, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from their homes. The AKUT Search and Rescue Association, a non-governmental organization specializing in disaster scenarios, has been actively involved in these efforts.