Western Turkey engulfed in fires

Chisinau, August 18 /MOLDPRES/- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) has issued a travel warning to Turkey in connection with massive wildfires that broke out in Aydin, Izmir and Manisa provinces in western Turkey on Thursday and continue to spread.

According to a press release of MAE, the fires are intensifying near the border of the Kavaklidere region of Mugla. The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Republic of Turkey comes to Moldovan citizens who are in, transiting or intend to travel to Turkey with the following recommendations:

- check the weather and follow the official warnings issued by the authorities before planning your trip;

- be vigilant in affected areas;

- carefully follow the local media and inform the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Moldova in Turkey about the presence in the risk areas;

- make sure you have enough fuel, water and food, and that mobile communication devices are functional;

- if you receive telephone alerts about the outbreak of fires in the area where you are, strictly follow the instructions of the local authorities.

For more information, citizens are urged to consult the official page of the disaster and emergency management unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: https://www.afad.gov.tr.

For consular assistance, citizens can contact: Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Republic of Turkey: +90 541 687 21 04, ankara@mfa.gov.md; consulat.ankara@mfa.gov.md Consulate General of the Republic of Moldova in Istanbul: +90 535 983 01 73.

The Izmir fire is the biggest fire of summer 2024 in Turkey, threatening urban areas.

Almost 4,000 residents of western Turkey have been safely evacuated, as wildfires continue to burn in at least four cities and provinces, the country's disaster authority AFAD announced on Saturday, DPA and Agerpres report.

In total, 131 wildfires broke out on agricultural and forested land in several cities, such as Izmir, Aydin, Bolu, Mugla and Manisa, during the past week.