At least ten workers lost their lives while fighting a wildfire in Turkey’s central Eskisehir province, as reported by the country's Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Ibrahim Yumakli. The incident began early Tuesday morning in the Seyitgazi district and escalated as shifting winds trapped approximately 24 forestry and volunteer personnel within the flames. Among the deceased are five forestry workers and five volunteers from the AKUT rescue organization. Fourteen more forest workers have since been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the operation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences on social media, praying for the souls of these "heroic" individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Turkish forests. Local lawmaker Nebi Hatipoglu echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the profound grief within the community over the loss of such heroic figures.
The wildfire situation in Turkey is dire, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) recently, leading to outbreaks of fire in several regions, including Sakarya, Bilecik, İzmir, Karabuk, and Manisa. This summer has seen hundreds of wildfires across the nation, resulting in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from their homes. The AKUT Search and Rescue Association operates as a non-governmental organization focusing on disaster management and rescue operations during such emergencies.
