Fire disaster that killed 15 causes 700 million liras damage, expert witnesses find electricity firm at fault

According to an initial investigation, the fire disaster that killed 15 people in Turkey’s southeastern region caused damage worth 700 million liras. Meanwhile, a three-person team of expert witnesses has determined that an electric pole of electricity firm DEDAŞ caused the fire, despite its claim that it was caused by stubble burning.

Tuesday June 25 2024 02:31 pm

Duvar English

The fatal fire disaster in the country’s southeastern Diyarbakır and Mardin provinces caused 700 million liras in damage according to an initial investigation, the daily Sözcü reported on June 25.

The fire broke out on June 20 and killed at least 15 people.

According to an initial investigation by the Diyarbakır and Mardin provincial directorates of agriculture, 7,900 decares of agricultural land in Diyarbakır’s Çınar district was burned, of which 6,789 decares were stubble and 1,111 decares were unharvested wheat cultivated lands.

While 924 sheep and goats died, 83 severely injured sheep and goats were sent to slaughter because they were about to die. One tractor and 14 irrigation facilities were burned and became unusable, and hundreds of root fruit trees were completely burned.

In Mardin’s Mazıdağı district, 7,000 decares of agricultural land were burned, of which 4,000 decares were unharvested wheat, and 3,000 decares were stubble.

The directorates found damage caused by the fire as 700 million liras.

Meanwhile, a three-person team of expert witnesses has determined that an electric pole of the Dicle Electricity Distribution Company (DEDAŞ) caused the fire, despite its claim that it was caused by stubble burning.

Finding the report “incomplete and insufficient,” the Çınar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office appointed a 5-person expert committee consisting of electrical engineers.

Families who suffered the loss of life and property are preparing to file a lawsuit against DEDAŞ for millions of liras in material and moral damages.

Even Diyarbakır governor claimed that the fire was caused by stubble burning, blaming the farmers.

Locals have been stating that the fire was caused by the sparks from electric wires.

A security camera recorded the moments of the beginning of the fire.

A fire broke out in the same area in June 2023 and 167 decares of land was burnt. After the field owners filed a criminal complaint against DEDAŞ for similar negligence claims, the experts found the company "primarily at fault."