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Southern Europe has been suffering an unprecedented heatwave fed by hot air from North Africa. Temperatures in Turkey’s Marmaris recently reached an all-time high of 45.5 Celsius (114F).
Forest fires have been raging in Turkey’s Mediterranean region for seven days, necessitating the evacuation of residents from the worst affected areas – some had to flee by boat.
Experts have been especially worried about two thermal power plants located in the province of Mugla. On Wednesday, the local administration reported there was a new risk of the plant being hit by wildfires.
Muhammet Tokat, the mayor of Milas which is about 75 miles north-west of Marmaris, took to Twitter to announce that the situation with the fires has only worsened.
“Flames have reached the thermal plant…”
16.54 – Alevler termik santrale dayandı… pic.twitter.com/jxy8VcMzFZ
— Av. Muhammet Tokat (@MuhammetTokat48) August 4, 2021
”The flames started again … The flames broke out in the immediate vicinity of the Kemer thermal power plant. Yes, you heard right.”
ALEVLER YENİDEN BAŞLADI… Kemerköy Termik Santrali’ne çok yakın bir alanda alevler yükseldi. Evet doğru duydunuz, TERMİK SANTRAL İLK DEFA BÖYLESİNE TEHDİT ALTINDA…#MilasYanıyor pic.twitter.com/7srHNf9aaC
— T.C. Milas Belediyesi (@MilasBelediyesi) August 4, 2021
Tokat has urged the authorities to deploy firefighting aircraft to the area immediately.
“We beg, we warn … We’ve been saying this for several days now. Here the fire surrounded the factory. Immediate response!!!!”
Yalvarıyoruz, uyarıyoruz… Günlerdir söyledik. İşte yangın fabrikanın çevresini sardı. Derhal müdehale!!!!#milasyaniyor pic.twitter.com/bvPOsQjsNC
— Av. Muhammet Tokat (@MuhammetTokat48) August 4, 2021
Earlier this week, flames were seen within just a kilometre of the Kemerkoy thermal power but then the wind changed direction, and a dangerous situation at the site was avoided.
A heatwave fed by hot air from North Africa has been intensified by low humidity and strong winds.
The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has come under public criticism for its response to the fires. However, Erdogan recently said that Turkey has received enough support, including firefighting aircraft, from different countries, and Turkey’s minister of agriculture and forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli, said 160 fires in 34 provinces had been brought under control.
Locals have been sharing photos and videos online, showing how emergency services and ordinary people have been battling wildfires in the country.
#helpturkey Please help us.. All of Turkey is on fire. We need a lot of help and firefighting planes.. pic.twitter.com/M6bJA4oy4l
— Burak Ak (@burak05white) August 2, 2021
Before and after the fires in Turkey. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/5dxzm5uWpk
— Çay baba (@vcaybaba) August 2, 2021
Turkey is fighting 112 fires in different forests that affected 17 cities. Many animals lost their lives and many villages were evacuated. They don't have enough firefighting planes to stop it. We really need all the help we can get." #helpturkey #PrayForTurkey#GLOBALCALL pic.twitter.com/YitOggRZnU
— Zreiknada❤??❤ (@Zreiknada1) August 2, 2021
Neighbouring Greece has also been facing the worst heatwave in decades. Dozens of wildfires were reported across the country since Monday. Clouds of smoke were seen over Athens on Tuesday night and some homes and businesses were destroyed by the fires.
Meteorologists say the heatwave in both countries will continue until the end of the week.
Greece is burning right now and people are diving in the sea in order to save themselves yet the media hasn't said enough about this. This is the 3rd fire this week. Please keep Greece in your prayers #φωτια #φωτια_Αιγιαλεια pic.twitter.com/CIDqxvRKzR
— ً (@zeninfilms) July 31, 2021
#Greekhero firefighters driving through the #blaze in their #Herculean effort to #savelives and #homes at the massive #fire in #Varimpopi near #Athens. #Greece is burning one more time with more than 80 active fires. Full story: https://t.co/RET8eVTzYL Video by Stavros Germalidis pic.twitter.com/P1XnC4FTll
— Greek Reporter (@GreekReporter) August 4, 2021
Fires ? burning in the suburbs of #Athens #Greece #greeceisburning pic.twitter.com/JTe67EPAe8
— George Shepherd (@george_shepherd) August 4, 2021
