Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Turkey's Antalya Province

Firefighters battled a wind-fueled wildfire in Turkey's southern Mediterranean province of Antalya on Tuesday, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes as flames spread rapidly. The blaze, which ignited Monday evening in the Aksu district, was fanned by strong winds, pushing it into neighboring areas and threatening residential zones. Authorities issued mandatory evacuations for at least 254 homes across the Aksu and Kepez districts. At least two people were hospitalized with leg injuries, and six others received on-site treatment for smoke inhalation, according to state-run news agency Anadolu. One house was reported completely destroyed by the fire, with residents describing the rapid advance of the flames. Muhammet Özdemir, a local resident, stated that the fire reached his home, leaving nothing behind. Ahmet Karakış, an elected official for the Aksu district, confirmed the destruction of one house and emphasized that there were no reported fatalities. The strong winds complicated containment efforts, causing spot fires as burning material was carried by the blaze.