Wildfire Forces Evacuations on Gallipoli Peninsula

TDT | Manama

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More than 250 people were evacuated overnight as a wildfire swept across the Gallipoli peninsula in northwestern Turkey, officials said on Sunday.

The blaze began Saturday in the province of Çanakkale and spread quickly due to strong winds in the hills near Gelibolu, overlooking the busy Dardanelles Strait.

Governor Ömer Toraman confirmed that 251 residents from five villages were relocated to safer areas as a precaution. Videos from the scene showed hillsides lit up by flames and thick smoke filling the night sky.

The region, home to the historic ruins of Troy and the World War I Gallipoli battlefields, has suffered from severe drought this year. Firefighting efforts continued through the night with 900 personnel, supported by 12 planes and 18 helicopters.

Authorities closed access to war memorial sites near Eceabat until the fire is brought under control.

The Gallipoli blaze comes after several other recent wildfires in the region. On Monday, another fire forced 2,000 people to flee, with around 80 receiving treatment for smoke inhalation. Days earlier, a separate blaze suspended shipping through the Dardanelles Strait and forced 120 residents to evacuate.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System, Turkey has recorded 192 wildfires so far this year, destroying more than 110,000 hectares of land. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such disasters.