Wildfire claims 11 lives in southeastern Türkiye’s Diyarbakir and Mardin

In a devastating incident spanning the area between Cinar in Diyarbakir and Mazidagi in Mardin, the death toll from a fire has tragically risen to 11, with 78 others injured. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced the launch of a judicial investigation into the fire.

The blaze started as a field and haystack caught fire in the Koksalan neighborhood of Cinar district at 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, quickly spreading to Yazcicegi, Bagrik, and Agacsever neighborhoods due to strong winds.

Efforts by firefighters and locals prevented the blaze from advancing further toward Yucebag, Senyuva, and Yetkinler neighborhoods in Mazidagi, Mardin. Initially claiming three lives in Diyarbakır and two in Mardin, with 44 others injured, the death toll has unfortunately now reached 11 with the passing of Remzi Yilmaz in Mardin this afternoon.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca reported, “As a result of the fires in Koksalan neighborhood and Yazcicegi village in Diyarbakır’s Cinar district, and Yücebağ and Yetkinler villages in Mazıdagi district, 11 people have lost their lives and 78 others have been affected. My condolences to those who lost their lives, and my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.”

Minister Tunc expressed condolences and announced the initiation of a judicial investigation by the Cinar Public Prosecutor’s Office into the tragic fire incident.