Status: 07/29/2021 5:50 a.m.
Dozens of people were injured in the forest fire in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya. The fire broke out in four places in a forest in Manavgat. Arson is believed to be the cause.
Dozens of people have been hospitalized because of a violent forest fire in the Turkish holiday region of Antalya. According to media reports, three of them were burned and 62 people, most of them local residents, had complaints from the heavy smoke.
The tourist spots in the region are not threatened, said the mayor of the city of Antalya, about 60 kilometers away, Muhittin Böcek, of the state news agency Anadolu. Böcek suspected arson as the cause, since fires had started in four places at the same time. The fire broke out in a forest in Manavgat, Antalya Province. It spread rapidly in strong winds and reached inhabited areas.
Fire “partially” under control
Because of the advancing flames, four parts of Manavgat have been evacuated. Several houses were destroyed by the fire in the Kalemler district. According to the television station NTV, 20 buildings burned down in one part of the city. Hundreds of forest workers, as well as helicopters and an airplane, were on duty to contain the flames. According to the authorities, the fire was “partially” under control by the evening.
The fire victims will receive all the help they need, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and announced investigations.