Mersin wildfires contained after two days

Photo: AA

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Wildfires that broke out in the Gülnar district of the southern Mersin province were contained yesterday (September 8), the authorities announced.

The fire broke out a day before in the Karadere area near the Büyükeceli Neighborhood. Due to the winds, it grew and spread to some neighborhoods in the Silifke district.

A fuel station, a way station and 30 homes were evacuated.

Three helicopters equipped with night vision systems responded to the fire throughout the night. Twenty-five water cannon trucks belonging to the Mersin Security Directorate were also deployed.

One person in serious condition

"There are a lot of settlements, villages and neighborhoods in the fire zone. Thankfully, the fire has not spread to these neighborhoods," said Veysel Tiryaki, the deputy minister of agriculture and forestry.

"No homes were burned in the fire. An abandoned building was damaged. Thankfully, we have no human losses," he added.

Some 1,500 hectares of forests were damaged in the fires, he noted.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 25 people were affected by the fire. Eight are still under treatment, with one in serious condition, he said on social media. (TY/VK)