Shocking video footage captured a massive wildfire tearing through a popular holiday destination in the Alanya district of Antalya, Turkey, prompting over 800 firefighters to battle the inferno. The blaze forced holidaymakers to evacuate their hotels as it rapidly spread through forested areas close to a restaurant and potentially a holiday resort, leaving onlookers in disbelief as they recorded the terrifying scenes on social media.
The wildfire originated in the Kundu area near Antalya on a Saturday evening, where numerous tourist-popular hotels are situated. Strong winds exacerbated the situation, causing the fire to spread into the neighboring areas of Mugla and Aydin, confirmed by local firefighters. A significant emergency response was initiated to contain the flames, involving more than 800 firefighters, 20 helicopters, and 14 other aircraft.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey described the situation as a “truly great disaster,” with over 25,000 individuals participating in the emergency response efforts. Alanya Deputy Mayor Murat Levent Koçak highlighted the rapid spread of the fire due to strong winds, cautioning residents about the approaching danger to populated regions. He reassured the public that emergency services were swiftly working to extinguish the inferno.
Turkey has faced a series of devastating wildfires this summer, with thousands of tourists and locals forced to flee. In July, over 1,500 individuals were evacuated from Bursa, a popular tourist spot, as flames surrounded the area. The Bursa governor’s office reported the safe evacuation of 1,765 people from villages to the northeast while over 1,100 firefighters battled the blazes, leading to the closure of the highway connecting Bursa to Ankara.
Throughout the summer, Turkey has witnessed numerous severe wildfires, a recurring phenomenon attributed to unseasonably high temperatures, dry weather conditions, and strong winds. Similarly, neighboring countries like Greece and Bulgaria have also faced devastating wildfires. In Greece, parts of Athens were evacuated following the outbreak of more than 50 wildfires within 24 hours in July, while Bulgaria sought assistance from EU partners to combat fires along its southern borders with Greece and Turkey, as well as the western Serbian frontier.