‘Artvin fire largely taken under control’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Deputy Interior Minister and Ministry Spokesperson İsmail Çataklı has announced that the fire that broke out in Yusufeli district in Turkey's eastern Black Sea province of Artvin has been largely taken under control and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has sent an emergency aid of 1 million Turkish lira (around 132,000 USD).

The cause of the fire remains unknown, Çataklı has said.

'The entire neighbourhood razed in the fire'

In a written statement released by the sub-governor's office of Yusufeli district, it has been announced that the entire Kaynarca neighbourhood, which is reportedly used as pasture land by villagers and where the fire broke out, has burned down in the fire.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Yusufeli Sub-Governor Ömer Faruk Özdemir went to the region after the fire. In his statement addressing the reporters, Özdemir has said that 35 of the 176 houses in the village have been damaged in the fire.

The state-run news agency has also reported that 20 livestock have lost their lives as a result of the fire.

In which village did the fire break out?

In the written statement published on the website of the sub-governor's office, it is indicated that the fire erupted in the Kaynarca neighborhood of Dokumacılar village in Yusufeli district of Artvin province.

However, both Ministry of Interior Spokesperson İsmail Çataklı and the state-run AA have said that it broke out in Dereiçi village.

When it is checked on Google Maps, it is seen that one needs to drive for 1 hour and 34 minutes to go from one village to the other.

(EKN/SD)