Dozen people killed in devastating agricultural fire sweeping across south east Turkey
The fire spread across several settlements in south east Turkey, close to the border with Syria and Iraq
An agricultural fire spreads through settlements in southeast Turkey leaving at least 5 dead
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A dozen people have been killed and 78 injured in a major agricultural fire in Turkey.
The blaze started through the burning of straw and spread in strong winds across several settlements in south east Turkey on Thursday, officials have said.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said in a post on X on Friday.
The blaze erupted in an area neighbouring the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin.
It moved quickly through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi and Bagacik, Diyarbakir Governor Ali Ihsan Su said. The fire was brought under control early on Friday.
The fire has been brought under control, but local media reported on Saturday that 12 people had been killed and 78 injured.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said late on Friday that the treatment of the wounded was underway, with some in critical condition.
“We are continuing the treatment and monitoring of five of our wounded. Three of our five wounded receiving treatment in Diyarbakir are intubated,” Koca said on X.
Burning straw is a common practice by farmers and villagers in central Anatolia following harvest periods.
Across the country in northwest Turkey, meanwhile, firefighters were battling to contain a wildfire near the town of Ayvacik in Canakkale province, said the state-run Anadolu Agency.
No one was hurt but authorities evacuated the small village of Camkoy as a precaution, the agency reported.
It was one of several wildfires to have erupted in the province of Canakkale in the past week amid high winds and scorching summer temperatures.
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