Turkey wildfire kills 10 firefighters amid heat crisis

DDM News

A devastating wildfire in northwestern Turkey has claimed the lives of at least ten firefighters and rescue workers, according to government officials.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday in Eskisehir province, where crews were battling one of several fires currently raging across the country.

The Turkish Minister of Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, confirmed that five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue organization lost their lives while attempting to contain the rapidly advancing blaze.

The minister also disclosed that at least 14 other individuals involved in the firefighting operation were hospitalized with injuries.

This brings the total number of wildfire-related deaths in Turkey so far in 2025 to thirteen, reflecting the dangerous combination of high temperatures, strong winds, and prolonged dry conditions currently gripping the nation.

According to Yumakli, the situation in Eskisehir escalated when the wind suddenly changed direction.

This abrupt shift caused the flames to move unpredictably, surrounding and trapping the rescue and forestry teams mid-operation.

Authorities have not yet identified the source of the wildfire, and investigations into its cause are ongoing.

The incident underscores the growing risks Turkey faces as climate-related heatwaves become more frequent and intense.

At the time of the announcement, firefighters were battling seven wildfires across the country, with Eskisehir being among the most dangerous.

Yumakli warned that weather conditions are expected to worsen, with extreme heat and volatile winds forecast for Thursday and beyond.

The AKUT Search and Rescue Association, which lost five of its members, is one of Turkey’s most prominent volunteer-based disaster response organizations.

The loss of so many experienced personnel in one operation has sparked national grief and renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and training for wildfire response teams.

Environmentalists and climate experts have long warned that Turkey, like many countries in the Mediterranean region, is increasingly vulnerable to deadly summer wildfires.

In recent years, wildfires have destroyed thousands of hectares of forestland, displaced communities, and pushed the country’s emergency response systems to the brink.

With summer far from over, the Turkish government has placed emergency services on high alert and is urging the public to avoid any activities that could spark fires.

Local authorities are also working to provide support to the families of the deceased and those injured in the line of duty.

Tributes have poured in from across the country as Turkey mourns the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the battle against nature’s fury.

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