Ankara: Tunisian authorities on Wednesday contained a forest fire that broke out in coastal woodland between Rafraf and Ghar El Melh in the northern province of Bizerte, after more than 16 hours of firefighting efforts.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Bizerte governorate stated that rescue teams extinguished the fire after it first erupted at 1 pm Tuesday in the forested area stretching between Rafraf and Sidi Ali El Mekki in Ghar El Melh. Field monitoring would continue at the site to prevent the flames from reigniting, particularly amid an ongoing heat wave and strong winds.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Authorities urged residents to evacuate the area as fire trucks were deployed near homes close to the forest. Eight women and six infants were already evacuated from the area, as reported by the governorate.

Tunisia is currently enduring a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 45C (113F) in most regions. According to Tunisia's National Institute of Meteorology, the central city of Kairouan was the world's second-hottest city on Tuesday, recording 49.6C (121.2F), following Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, where the temperature reached 50C (122F).

Other Arab nations, including Algeria and Morocco, have also witnessed forest fires amid a record heat wave affecting Mediterranean countries.