Turkey wildfires: death toll rises to 8

The death toll from the fifth consecutive day of escalating wildfires on the south coast of Turkey rose to eight on Sunday, August 1, reported Reuters.

Turkey's Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca said that two more people succumbed to injuries on Sunday as a result of the wildfires in Manavgat, a town in southern Turkey. He went on to add that 10 people are being treated.

According to BBC, a reported 120 blazes have been contained by firefighters while seven fires continue to blaze. Tourists and residents alike have been evacuated, with some fleeing on boats.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said that the fires are reportedly ongoing in Manavgat, Marmaris and Milas, leading to an evacuation of hotels and residential areas in the vicinity.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes since the wildfires began on Wednesday. Prior to the two deaths reported on Sunday, five people from Manavgat and one from Marmaris died due to the fires.

Pakdemirli noted that at least 828 firefighting vehicles,13 planes, 45 helicopters, and drones were fighting to get the fires under control. Additionally, neighbouring countries Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Azerbaijan sent support teams to assist the firefighting efforts. Locals in the affected areas are also reported to have helped.

Three firefighting planes were mobilized by the European Union (EU) in a bid to assist Turkey's firefighting efforts after the country sought assistance through its disaster response scheme.

The Turkish government has pledged that all losses from the fire will be compensated and that damaged houses will be rebuilt.

Turkey is one of many Mediterranean countries affected by wildfires this summer. Others include Greece, Lebanon, Syria, Italy and Cyprus. The fires have caused a surge in temperature in Greece, destroyed houses and left people hospitalized with respiratory issues.