25.07.2025 11:49
While Turkey's heart aches for the 10 forest martyrs who lost their lives fighting the flames, the reaction of Bekir Torun, the Mayor of Osmaneli in Bilecik, has drawn attention. He stated that forest workers who moved to another location to intervene in the flames due to a sudden change in the wind "ran away in fear."
The flames rising from different points in Sakarya, Bilecik, Eskişehir, and Karabük are causing significant damage. While 2,619 people have been evacuated to safe areas, 4,231 personnel, 45 air vehicles, and 1,236 ground vehicles are fighting against the fires. The death of 10 forest workers in Eskişehir has broken hearts, while the images coming from Bilecik have sparked controversy.
"THEY RAN AWAY CRYING IN FEAR"
Osmaneli Mayor Bekir Torun criticized the departure of forest teams from the area after the wind changed direction during a live broadcast on his social media accounts, saying, "Friends, İçmeler is burning. There were about 12 fire trucks here. They literally ran away screaming from here. Look, we are extinguishing the fire with one vehicle. The people who came to fight the forest fire ran away crying in fear from here," he said.