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A forest worker died while battling a wildfire in Türkiye's western Izmir province, officials announced Thursday, as the country continues to grapple with seasonal blazes across its forested regions.
Ibrahim Demir, a forestry employee, was killed while fighting the fire in the Odemis district of Izmir province, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said in a social media statement.
"Our forest worker Ibrahim Demir died as a martyr while struggling to protect the Green Homeland in the fire in Izmir's Odemis district," Yumakli wrote, using the Turkish term "Green Homeland" to refer to the country's forests.
The minister expressed condolences to Demir's family and colleagues, saying: "I pray for God's mercy for our brother who defended the Green Homeland at the cost of his life, and I wish patience to his family and loved ones."
A driver identified as Ragip Sahin was also injured in the same fire zone and is receiving medical treatment, according to Yumakli's statement.
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus also issued a statement mourning Demir's death, praising forest workers and volunteers who risk their lives to protect Türkiye's woodland areas.
"I pray for God's mercy for forest worker Ibrahim Demir, who died as a martyr while responding to the forest fire in Izmir's Odemis district, and I offer my condolences to his family, relatives and colleagues," Kurtulmus wrote on social media.
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