Ten Killed Battling Wildfire in Central Türkiye’s Eskisehir Province
July 23, 2025 – Eskisehir, Türkiye
Ten people, including five forestry workers and five search-and-rescue volunteers, lost their lives while responding to a devastating wildfire in central Türkiye’s Eskisehir province, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı.
“We are living through a deeply sorrowful evening,” said Minister Yumaklı. “Ten of our personnel were martyred while trying to put out the flames. We have since cordoned off the area for safety.”
The wildfire, which started in Eskisehir and advanced toward the Afyonkarahisar border, intensified rapidly due to strong and erratic winds. A total of 24 responders—19 forestry staff and 5 volunteers—were caught in the blaze. While 14 forestry workers are currently receiving hospital treatment, ten could not be saved.
Yumaklı added that the forest in question was not extensive and that officials had been hopeful just a day earlier. “They escaped danger yesterday, and we were so relieved. But today, we’ve lost heroes,” he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the martyrdom of five forestry workers and five AKUT volunteers while responding to the Eskisehir fire. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families and to our nation. May Allah have mercy on those who gave their lives protecting our forests.”
The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by emergency personnel as Türkiye grapples with extreme heat and rising wildfire threats across the region.
