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Terrible wildfires rage through Turkey’s south, forcing evacuations
Ankara: At least three people were reportedly killed and dozens hospitalized in southern Turkey after strong winds fanned two wildfires, threatening residential areas.
As per details, fires have been raging in Turkey’south for past 2 days. Almost 60 wild fires erupted, while 31 blazes were contained.
Following the horrific fire, buildings, forests, animals, fields, livelihood burned along forced evacuation of thousands.
A wildfire broke out Wednesday near the Mediterranean coastal resort town of Manavgat, in Antalya province and according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli it had been contained.
But another fire started early Thursday and swept through the district of Akseki, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) north. Both forest fires spread to a vast area from the summer getaway of Antalya to Adana and Mersin.
Reportedly, the worst fire was in Manavgat, a town in Antalya province which is popular among holidaymakers. It erupted on Wednesday noon in four different spots of the town surrounded by forests.
Following this, eighteen villages and neighborhoods were evacuated, while officials announced that 62 people were hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation.
The Turkish government's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), said that along with the three victims, at least 112 people were affected by the fires, including 58 who were hospitalized, mostly for smoke inhalation.
“Several homes, businesses, crops and vehicles were damaged in Manavgat,” said AFAD.
As per officials, the Turkey’s Antalya region is popular vacation destination for tourists from Russia and other parts of Europe, but none of the holiday resorts were affected by the fires.
In addition, wildfires are common in Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean regions during the arid summer months.