PodcastFirefighters tackle forest blaze in southern Mersin
A forest fire broke out in the Gülnar district of the southern Mersin province on Sept. 7 and spread rapidly to other districts the next day due to strong winds.
Reuters
Firefighters battled to extinguish a wildfire in southern Turkey for a second day on Sept. 8 and more than 1,000 people were evacuated from homes and hotels, the emergency authority said.
Twenty-nine helicopters and 11 planes were involved in tackling the blaze that started in Gülnar district of the Mediterranean province of Mersin, the Disaster Management Authority (AFAD) said.
The firefighting effort also involved about 850 personnel and more than 140 vehicles, AFAD said, adding seven people affected by the fire were being treated in nearby hospitals.
Electricity was cut in some districts as a precaution to protect firefighting personnel during the operation, AFAD also said.
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