Filenews 23 June 2022
Improved, compared to the conditions that prevailed previously, is the general picture of the large fire in occupied Kantara, according to newer information from the occupied territories.
The "chairman of the disaster and emergency committee of the prime minister's office" Hussellin Jahitolgu, said the fire had been largely brought under control.
Mr. Tzahitoglou mentioned that, at present, 2 helicopters from British Bases, 1 helicopter from Turkey and 2 planes from the Republic of Cyprus are responding to the fire, adding that 2 planes from Israel are also assisting in the firefighting efforts.
According to Mr. Tzahitoglou so far about 12,000 acres in the area have been burned and "5-6 people were taken to the hospital because they were affected by the smoke".
Mr. Tzahitoglou noted that the fire, which took on dimensions with the intensification of the wind at 03:00 in the morning, was greatly limited at the same time as the reduction of the wind intensity at 06:00 and the resumption of the aerial intervention.
12,000 acres burned
On the latest developments, the "presidency" also made a statement stating that "Mr. Tatar, the Vice-President of the Republic of Turkey Fuat Oktay, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture will carry out inspections in the fire zone by helicopter".
According to the "presidency", the fire has affected an area of 18 kilometres and it will take 600,000 plants to restore the area affected by the fire.
"Unfortunately, due to the strong wind, an area of 12,000 acres has been burned. However, we are comforted by the fact that there is no loss of life. Our state is here with all its facilities and all the necessary things are being done," the communiqué reads.
Meanwhile, regarding the large fire, Turkey's Ministry of National Defence announced that forces and a Turkish army drone are assisting in the effort to extinguish the fire.
CNA
