Türkiye arrests 10 suspects over forest fires: minister

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Turkish police have arrested 10 suspects linked to forest fires that erupted across the country over the past week, a cabinet minister said on Friday.

In a statement published on his X account, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 44 suspects were detained in relation to 65 forest fires that occurred in 12 provinces between June 26 and July 4, 10 of them were arrested, and judicial control measures were imposed on six of them.

Earlier in the day, Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli announced that the forest fire in Cesme, a popular resort town, was brought under control by Friday morning. Efforts to contain the blazes in Odemis and Buca districts are still ongoing.

Two people lost their lives in Odemis -- an 81-year-old bedridden man and a forestry worker who died while battling the blaze, according to Yumakli.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fires, but high temperatures, low humidity, and powerful winds have created ideal conditions for forest fires to spread rapidly. Investigations are underway to determine whether negligence or arson may have played a role.