Death toll rises to 12 in forest fire between Diyarbakir, Mardin provinces

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The death toll from a forest fire that broke out between Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces in southeastern Turkey (Bakur) has risen to 12. Investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

On Thursday evening, a massive fire erupted in several forests along the border of Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces.

Read More: Several killed, injured in forest fires in southeastern Turkey

The fire spread rapidly due to strong winds, burning a vast area. After hours of effort by Turkey’s National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE), the fire was finally brought under control.

"At least 12 people have been killed and 78 others injured in the fire, six of whom are in intensive care," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced via his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

In a statement posted on the same platform, Turkey’s Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç announced that an investigation into the fire has been initiated at the request of the Çınar municipality and the district Prosecutor's Office in Diyarbakir province.

Turkish Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaoğlu reported that 8,100 acres of forests were burned in Diyarbakir and 7,000 acres in Mardin.

He also stated that 556 animals perished due to the fire and assured that after assessing all the damages, compensation would be provided to the affected citizens.

Additional reporting by Kurdistan24's correspondent Hozan Mohammed