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Aug 1, 2021 - World

Tourists forced to evacuate Turkey as wildfires rage

Yacob Reyes
Smoke and flames rise as ground and air support works to extinguish the forest fire that broke out in Manavgat district continue in Antalya, Turkey on August 01, 2021.

Smoke and flames rise as ground and air support works to extinguish the forest fire that continues in Antalya, Turkey on Sunday. Photo: Suleyman Elcin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Thousands of tourists in Turkey were forced to evacuate Sunday after wildfires, which erupted last Wednesday, encroached on popular travel destinations, NBC reports.

Why it matters: More than 100 wildfires broke out near southern and western Turkey this week, with at least six people, including two firefighters, reported to have died in the fires.

  • Five fires remain active near the coastal cities of Antalya and Mugla, per NBC.
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited affected areas on Saturday, later saying the Turkish government would help cover rent for those impacted by the fires.

What they're saying: “We cannot do anything beyond wishing the mercy of God for the lives we have lost but we can replace everything that was burned," Erdogan said, per NBC.

  • “We will continue to take all necessary steps to heal our nation’s wounds, compensate for its losses, and improve its opportunities,” Erdogan continued, per Aljazeera.

In photos

An aerial view of damaged areas after a forest fire in Adana, Turkey on July 31, 2021
An aerial view of damaged areas after a forest fire in Adana, Turkey on July 31. Photo: Eren Bozkurt/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Fire burns above a seaside resort town in Turkey
Extinguishing works for forest fire continue in Mugla, Turkey on July 29. Photo: Mahmut Serdar Alakus/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Cars move on the highway as smoke reduced visibility distance during the fire July 30
Cars move on the highway as smoke reduced visibility distance during the fire that broke out in Silifke district of Turkeyâs Mersin on July 30. Photo: Sezgin Pancar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Burnt houses near the town of Manavgat on July 31
Burnt houses near the town of Manavgat on July 31. Photo: -/AFP via Getty Images
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