Forest fire continues in southern Turkey
Forest fire continues in southern Turkey
8 July 2008
published by www.hurriyet.com.tr
Turkey — The forest fire, which broke out in the southern province of Mersin and killed a woman and her granddaughter on Monday, still rages, officials said on Tuesday.
The fire in the Gulnar district, intensified by fierce winds, still continues to burn over a 400-hectare area and nearby villages have been evacuated, deputy governor Ahmet Buyukcelik told the Anatolian Agency.
Buyukcelik said 40 people suffered from smoke inhalation and a woman, whose 82-year-old mother and 16-year-old daughter died in the blaze, was taken to hospital suffering from second degree burns.
A total of 500 people including firefighters and villagers are battling the blaze, Buyukcelik said, adding firefighting helicopters were dropping water in an effort to put out the fire.
Two bulldozer operators are also missing, he added.
