Ankara: Turkey's Environment Ministry announced that meteorologists recorded a temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeastern region of the country, marking a national record. This unprecedented temperature was registered in Silopi, a town located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Turkey's borders with Iraq and Syria.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Environment Ministry reported that 132 weather stations across Turkey noted record temperatures for July. The Turkish meteorological service earlier in the week stated that temperatures were up to 12 degrees Celsius higher than the usual seasonal averages. The extreme heat has led to a surge in dehydration, heatstroke, and foodborne illnesses, as reported by the Turkish newspaper Hrriyet.
The high temperatures, coupled with strong winds and dry conditions, have sparked numerous wildfires throughout the country. A new fire erupted near high-rise apartments in Antalya, a popular Mediterranean resort city in southern Turkey, leading to evacuations. The July temperatures in Antalya reached 46.1 degrees Celsius, the highest since record-keeping began in 1930. Additional blazes were reported in the provinces of Karabuk, Sakarya, and Bilecik, necessitating the evacuation of several villages. Tragically, 13 people died fighting a fire in Eskisehir province in western Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the nation, stating that Turkey was "faced with a truly great disaster." He noted that 25,000 personnel, supported by 27 planes, 105 helicopters, and 6,000 ground vehicles, were actively involved in firefighting efforts across the country.
The eastern Mediterranean region is also suffering from the heat wave, impacting countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Albania. Greece has sought assistance from the European Union to combat wildfires, particularly a severe one north of Athens that destroyed houses and required evacuations. Fire brigade spokesperson Vasileios Vathrakogiannis highlighted that strong winds were exacerbating the fires near Athens and other areas. Greek authorities temporarily closed the Acropolis during the hottest parts of the day and advised tourists to remain in shaded areas.