ISTANBUL (AP) – The funerals of five volunteers from the AKUT rescue organization, who tragically lost their lives while battling a wildfire, took place on Thursday in Ankara, Turkey's capital. Family members, friends, and a large congregation of grieving citizens gathered at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque to pay their respects. Their deaths were part of a larger tragedy involving a total of ten fatalities, which also included five forestry workers who were caught in the blaze while attempting to extinguish the wildfire in the northwestern Eskisehir province.
According to Turkey's Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, at least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized following the incident that occurred on Wednesday. The deceased bodies were subsequently transported to a forensic facility in Ankara for identification. This tragic event adds to the mounting toll of wildfires that have plagued Turkey this year, raising the total number of wildfire fatalities to 13 since the beginning of the fire season on June 26, 2023.
Yumakli explained that the winds changed direction suddenly on Wednesday, which rapidly surrounded the forest workers with flames. The cause of the fire remains unknown, underscoring the unpredictability and dangers associated with such natural disasters. Among those who perished was a 28-year-old forestry worker who had only recently returned from his honeymoon just two days prior to the incident. Another AKUT volunteer had dedicated a month of his time rescuing victims from a catastrophic earthquake that struck southern Turkey in February 2023.
In a collaborative effort to combat another wildfire, farmers in the neighboring Bilecik province used tractors to create convoys hauling water tanks to the affected area. However, the situation remains dire as wildfires continue in various regions of Turkey. Earlier this month, a separate wildfire near the town of Odemis in Izmir province resulted in the deaths of an older man and two additional forestry workers, signaling the harsh reality of the ongoing fire crisis in the country.
The relentless wildfires have been exacerbated by adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, high temperatures, and prolonged dry spells. Turkey has been grappling with this environmental challenge for an extended period as authorities and volunteers work tirelessly to manage the fires and mitigate their impact. The community's response to these disasters highlights the resilience and solidarity of citizens in the face of adversity.
As the situation unfolds, the memory of those who lost their lives will be honored, and the fight against wildfires will continue in Turkey. The country remains vigilant as it seeks to protect its forests and communities from the ravages of such disasters.
