At least eight people have died in wildfires sweeping through southern Turkey, forcing tourists to flee coastal resorts. The blazes, which have raged for six days, mark the country's worst fire crisis in a decade.
Turkish authorities reported on Monday that over 130 fires had been contained, with firefighting efforts ongoing. The worst-hit areas are along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, a major tourist region. Dramatic videos showed tourists evacuated by boat, with Turkish Coastguard vessels involved.
Satellite images reveal nearly 100,000 hectares of forest burned. Firefighting planes and helicopters resumed operations in towns such as Marmaris and Koycegiz. The European Union has pledged water-carrying planes from Croatia and Spain to assist.
Similar wildfires are affecting Greece, Spain, and Italy. In Italy, the national fire service dealt with over 1,500 flare-ups on Sunday, and five people were injured in Pescara. Greece evacuated five villages in the Peloponnese amid forecasts of 45°C heat.
Strong winds and heatwaves across southern Europe have fuelled the fires, with experts citing climate change as increasing their frequency and intensity. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the town of Manavgat and promised government support, while his administration faces criticism over a shortage of firefighting aircraft.
