WILDFIRE KILLS 11 FOREST WORKERS IN TURKEY AMID EXTREME HEAT AND STRONG WINDS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
At least 11 forest workers lost their lives on Wednesday while battling a fierce wildfire near Eskisehir in western Turkey, local authorities confirmed.
The workers were overwhelmed when flames, driven by intense heat and powerful winds, suddenly changed direction, trapping them in the blaze. According to local media outlet BirGun, the victims were “burnt alive” in the tragic turn of events.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of 11 heroic forest workers who died fighting the flames,” Nebi Hatipoglu, a member of parliament representing the area, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Unfortunately, there are no words to describe our grief.”
The wildfire, which erupted on Tuesday morning, has continued to rage between Istanbul and Ankara, threatening nearby homes and prompting the evacuation of several villages.
Turkey has been grappling with soaring temperatures between six to 12 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms since Sunday, creating tinder-box conditions across much of the country. Multiple wildfires have been reported nationwide as a result.
Experts have long warned that climate change, driven by the continued burning of fossil fuels, is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves and wildfires.
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