Turkey: Hundreds Evacuated Due to Fire in Dardanelles

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from seven villages in Turkey's Çanakkale province due to a fire that broke out on Saturday near Gallipoli (Gelibolu). The fire spread rapidly due to strong winds.

According to the Governor of Çanakkale, Ömer Toraman, approximately 250 residents were evacuated from five villages overnight, while two more were evacuated today. Toraman assured that the fire has not reached the evacuated zones and has not touched the military cemeteries of the peninsula.

The firefighting operation involves twelve planes, 18 helicopters, and 343 vehicles with 1,300 firefighters, as announced by Agriculture Minister İbrahim Yumaklı.

The area is a tourist destination due to the ruins of ancient Troy and the Gallipoli battlefield. The province was affected by severe drought last year.