ISTANBUL – A devastating wildfire in northwestern Turkiye claimed the lives of at least 10 brave firefighters and rescue workers on Wednesday, as scorching heat and powerful winds continue to fuel a surge in blazes across the region.
The inferno broke out in the Eskisehir province, catching a 24-member firefighting crew off guard when sudden wind shifts turned the flames directly toward them. Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli confirmed that five forest officials and five rescue personnel were among the dead, while 14 others suffered injuries and remain under medical care.
Speaking in a nationally televised address, Minister Yumakli described how the team was overwhelmed by the fire before they could retreat to safety. “Tragically, we lost ten of our heroes today,” he said. “The fire turned unexpectedly due to high winds, trapping the team.”
Local news outlet BirGün reported harrowing details, quoting unnamed officials who said the victims were likely “burned alive” as the blaze raced across the parched terrain. Their bodies were discovered only after emergency responders managed to contain the worst of the fire.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took to social media to express his sorrow. “May Allah have mercy on our fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives defending our forests,” he wrote. “My heartfelt condolences go out to their families and to the nation.”
Adding to the chorus of grief, regional MP Nebi Hatipoglu shared on X (formerly Twitter), “There are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”
The tragedy unfolded amid a broader crisis, as Turkiye battles a wave of wildfires stretching between Istanbul and Ankara. The extreme heatwave—coupled with erratic wind conditions—has already forced evacuations in several rural areas and continues to threaten residential zones.
Minister Yumakli has issued a stark warning to citizens: “From tomorrow, we anticipate dangerously high temperatures and volatile wind patterns. I urge all 86 million citizens to exercise maximum caution.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Turkish Justice Ministry announced the appointment of two prosecutors to investigate what went wrong during the ill-fated rescue operation.
So far this year, Turkiye has recorded 13 wildfire-related deaths. Earlier in July, a separate blaze near Odemis in Izmir province claimed the lives of an elderly resident and two forestry workers.
Environmental groups and political opposition have repeatedly voiced concerns about the government’s fire preparedness—criticizing limited aerial firefighting resources and a lack of long-term planning, particularly during peak fire season.
Climate experts warn that such disasters may only grow more frequent and more destructive, pointing to a pattern of rising global temperatures and prolonged droughts as key contributors.
