Turkish firefighters are struggling to contain a major wildfire as it continues to rip through Antalya’s tourist districts. The raging inferno has prompted mass evacuations from hotels in the holiday hotspot.
The wildfire broke out on Saturday evening in the Kundu district and has spread rapidly through wooded areas near Belek, threatening to engulf resort properties along the coast. Video images show a ferocious blaze incinerating trees and undergrowth close to what appears to be a resort enclosure near a river in Belek. Giant flames leap into the night’s sky, as onlookers on the opposite bank can only look on helplessly.
Over 800 firefighters are attempting to bring the raging inferno under control, and are being supported by 124 aircraft and 20 helicopters.
Strong winds are making it extremely diffract to contain the fire, which is moving into the neighbouring provinces of Mugla and Aydin.
Evacuations from central Antalya and the Aksu district were ordered by local authorities, as the flames moved closer towards residential areas.
Turkey has been hit by a series of devastating wildfires this summer that have left a trail of devastation. Just two months ago 12 people tragically lost their lives to wildfires, prompting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to describe the situation in the country as a “truly great disaster”.
In July, more than 3,500 people fled Bursa as fires threatened to surround the popular tourist destination and Turkey’s fourth biggest city.
Over 1,000 firefighters fought the flames and a main road linking the city to the Turkish capital Ankara was closed as forests around the route burned.
Earlier on Sunday, firefighters were called out to extinguish a fire at an industrial complex in Adana.
The blaze broke out in a factory waste storage area, with video images showing the surrounding area enveloped in dense black smoke.
Fire crews from Adana Metropolitan Municipality were dispatched to put out the fire.
