Forest Fires Global Threat Just Like COVID-19: Turkish President

Forest fires are a global threat just like the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkey's president said on Wednesday.

The whole world is currently facing this challenge, which is like a "terrorist threat," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live television interview.

He said 187 forest fires have erupted in Turkey in the past eight days, with 15 of them yet to be put out.

A total of 51 helicopters and 20 planes are engaged in operations to douse the wildfires, the president added.

According to official figures, at least eight people have lost their lives since the fires started in south and southwestern Turkey last Wednesday. -