A volunteer firefighter died Wednesday in Turkey's southern Antalya province after assisting emergency services tackle a large wildfire, an official said. The fire, which began Monday in the Aksu district, spread to the neighboring Kepez district due to strong winds, prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.
The cause of the wildfire remains unknown. Hasan Kahya, a resident of Aksu who was helping firefighters, suffered a heart attack after being affected by smoke and later died in the hospital, according to Aksu Mayor Isa Yildirim.
Earlier in the week, two individuals were hospitalized with leg burns, and six others received treatment for smoke inhalation. Over 100 dogs were rescued from an animal shelter in Aksu.
Efforts to control the fire were ongoing Wednesday, with its intensity reportedly reduced. Turkey's forestry directorate reported that at least three firefighting planes, nine helicopters, 169 fire trucks, and more than 1,000 personnel were deployed to the scene. The state-run Anadolu Agency also reported on the deployment.
Separately, firefighters were also engaged in combating a wildfire in the Kozan district of Adana province, where hundreds of residents have been evacuated.