Wildfire claims at least 10 lives in Turkiye

At least ten people, including forestry workers and firefighters, have died in the devastating wildfire in Turkiye's Anatolia region, according to authorities.

The state-run Anadolu Agency reported that nine massive fires broke out across Turkiye in the last 24 hours. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli informed reporters in the capital, Ankara, that firefighters are working to extinguish the blazes with the resources available to them.

He stated that at least 24 individuals, including 19 forestry personnel and five search and rescue workers, were “suddenly” trapped by the fire that began in Eskişehir and spread into the neighbouring province of Afyonkarahisar.

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"Fourteen of them are currently being treated in various hospitals, and their conditions are stable. Unfortunately, we lost five forestry workers and five search and rescue team members," he added.

Yumakli extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hopes for the rapid recovery of the injured.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his sorrow, saying, “I have learned with great sadness that five forestry workers and five search and rescue volunteers have been martyred while responding to the forest fire in Eskişehir. I pray for God's mercy upon our brothers who fought to protect our forests at the cost of their lives, and I offer my condolences to their families and our nation.”