Deadly Crop Residue Fire Sweeps Through Turkish Villages

A devastating fire in southeast Turkey, believed to be caused by crop residue ignition, resulted in five fatalities and dozens requiring medical treatment. The blaze, fanned by winds, spread through multiple villages and has prompted an official investigation. Wildfires also continue to threaten northwest Turkey.

A devastating fire claimed the lives of five individuals and led to dozens receiving medical treatment in southeast Turkey. According to officials and news reports on Friday, the fire—which seemingly started in crop stubble—spread rapidly through settlements overnight.

The inferno erupted between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin, moving swiftly through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi, and Bagacik, Diyarbakir Governor Ali Ihsan Su reported. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control by early Friday.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on social media platform X that 44 people had to be treated in hospitals, with 10 in serious condition. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze, which illuminated the night sky.

Local residents suspect that sparks from a power line ignited the crop residue, as per independent news outlet Gazete Duvar. Several hospitalized individuals were villagers who attempted to put out the fire. Additionally, hundreds of farm animals perished, reported news channel HaberTurk.

Meanwhile, firefighters in northwest Turkey wrestled with another wildfire near Ayvacik, Canakkale province, as stated by the state-run Anadolu Agency. Although no injuries were reported, the small village of Camkoy was evacuated as a precaution. The region has seen multiple wildfires over the past week, exacerbated by high winds and extreme summer temperatures.