A severe fire in northwestern Turkey has led to the evacuation of over 2,000 people, the Governor of Çanakkale Province, Ömer Toraman, announced on Monday evening via X.
Toraman reported that 2,090 residents were evacuated by sea and land as a precaution due to the raging fire, which started around midday and forced 77 residents to seek hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.
Strong winds have fuelled the fire, allowing it to spread rapidly towards the southern entrance of the busy Dardanelles Strait, engulfing the tourist village of Güzelyalı, known for its summer population surge.
Turkish media showed the devastation as homes and cars were consumed by flames, leaving behind only charred trees and ruins. More than 760 firefighters were battling the blaze, supported by ten aircraft, nine helicopters, and over 200 fire engines.
On Monday morning, the west of the country was also struck by a powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 in magnitude.
Turkey has been dealing with severe wildfires throughout the summer, which has seen the hottest July on record. Seventeen people died in the fires last month, and tens of thousands were evacuated, with temperatures in the southeast reaching over 50 degrees Celsius.
