Turkey raises 'hell' as fires ravage resorts

Firefighters were battling to control blazes that tore through forests near Turkey's beach destinations for the sixth day yesterday as water-carrying planes from the European Union prepared to join the effort.

The fires burning in parched conditions and strong winds since Wednesday have left eight people dead and forced residents and tourists to flee vacation resorts in boats. Many villagers lost homes and farm animals.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said 119 fires that broke out in 32 provinces since Wednesday have been extinguished. Crews were still tacking seven fires in the coastal provinces of Antalya and Mugla that are popular tourist areas, and in Tunceli, southeast Turkey.

The EU has helped mobilize one firefighting Canadair plane from Croatia and two from Spain to help. Planes sent from Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran have also been fighting the blazes.

A fire in Mugla reignited in strong winds yesterday. Residents were forced to flee Cokertme village as flames neared. Some got on boats and others left by cars as the fire got closer and closer - scenes which Ahmet Aras, the mayor of the nearby resort of Bodrum, described as hell.

High temperatures and strong winds were hampering containment efforts. Antalya registered 42 degrees Celsius, about 5 to 6 degrees higher than seasonal averages.

A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including on the Italian island of Sicily and in western Greece.