Firestorm in Turkey: Wildfires Ignite Crisis Amidst Scorching Heat
Wildfires in Turkey's Izmir province have claimed two lives and forced evacuations as extreme heat fuels the devastation. A group linked to Kurdish militants has taken responsibility for numerous arson attacks. With Turkey and neighboring countries experiencing intense blazes, the Mediterranean is increasingly prone to destructive wildfires due to climate change.
In Turkey's western Izmir province, wildfires have claimed a second life as blazes continue to rage across the region, now into their seventh consecutive day. A backhoe operator, Ibrahim Demir, became the latest victim after firefighting efforts in Odemis district, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
The conflagration follows the death of an 81-year-old man, who succumbed to the flames while bedridden at home. A group named "Children of Fire," purportedly linked to the Kurdish militant group PKK, has claimed responsibility for dozens of fires across the country. The PKK has not commented on recent developments.
Amidst a severe heat wave, Turkey, along with Greece and other Mediterranean nations, faces what scientists term a "wildfire hotspot." High temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds have exacerbated conditions, leading to further outbreaks in Antalya and near Istanbul. Authorities are laboriously attempting to control the infernos.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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