Fire in recycling plant in Kocaeli

Photos: Anadolu Agency

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The fire fighting teams of the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality are still trying to put out the fire that started in a recycling plant in the Çepni neighborhood in Kartepe, Kocaeli last night (July 24). 

Anadolu Agency reported that the teams brought the fire under control, but are separating the waste where the fire re-emerges in some waste piles, using heavy equipment. 

Iran filings where the fire has been put out or has not burnt are being carried to a faraway location. 

Police and health teams keep waiting at the site as a precaution.

Are the fires intentional?

While six fires broke out in recycling plants in Turkey in 2017, 15 fires broke out in these plants in 2018, 33 in 2019, 65 in 2020, 122 in 2021, 125 in 2022, and 63 in the first six months of 2023. 

Green and Left Party (YSP) İstanbul MP Çiçek Otlu, brought up on July 3 in the Parliament allegations that plastic waste, not suitable for recycling was deliberately burnt in order to be demolished. (TY/PE)