ESKISEHIR, Jul 24 (Alliance News): Ten firefighters lost their lives and 14 others were injured while battling a fierce wildfire in Turkey’s central Eskisehir province, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli confirmed on Wednesday.
The deadly incident occurred in the Seyitgazi district, where firefighters had been working tirelessly since Tuesday to bring the wildfire under control.
According to Minister Yumakli, a sudden change in wind direction trapped 24 firefighters in the flames. They were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, but sadly, ten succumbed to their injuries while 14 remain under medical care.
“They were fighting the fire above the hill, while we were fighting it at the bottom,” said firefighter Ercan Temel, who witnessed the scene. “They tried to escape by running uphill, but couldn’t make it,” he told the Ihlas News Agency.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that a formal legal investigation has been launched into the incident.
Minister Yumakli also reported that seven wildfires were still burning across five provinces in central and western Turkey as of Wednesday, highlighting the widespread challenge emergency services are facing amid soaring summer temperatures.
