Minister Yerlikaya: 44 people were detained in connection with 65 forest fires, and 10 people were arrested.

04.07.2025 23:00

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 44 people have been detained and 10 have been arrested in connection with 65 forest fires that occurred in 12 provinces, most of which he stated were caused by negligence and carelessness.

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Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on his social media account that 44 people have been detained and 10 have been arrested in connection with 65 forest fires that occurred in 12 provinces.

Referring to the detentions related to the İzmir Aliağa fire and the Sakarya Taraklı fire, Minister Yerlikaya stated, "In the Bozköy neighborhood of İzmir-Aliağa; it was determined that the forest fire, which started on June 26 and was extinguished on the same day, occurred due to the fire set during garden cleaning spreading to the forested area. M. E. among the 6 individuals detained was arrested. I. B., E. İ., S. İ., R. E., and L. N. were released after their statements were taken. In the Hacıyakup neighborhood of Sakarya-Taraklı; the fire that started on June 27 was extinguished after 2 days of work. As a result of the determination that individuals named R. N., Y. N., and N. İ. were plowing the field at the fire's origin, 3 individuals were detained. 2 were released under judicial control, and 1 was released after their statement was taken," he said.

"3 INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED, 2 SUSPECTS RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL"

Minister Yerlikaya announced that 3 individuals have been arrested in connection with the fires that occurred in İzmir's Bornova district, stating, "In the Yakaköy neighborhood of İzmir-Bornova; judicial action was taken against 5 suspicious individuals in connection with the fire that started on June 27 and was extinguished on the same day. It was understood that the fire broke out due to sparks from the welding machine and spiral machine used by individuals named N. N., L. B., E. Ü., E. K., and R. N. 3 individuals were arrested. 2 suspects were released under judicial control. In the Musaca neighborhood of Manisa-Akhisar; in connection with the forest fire that started on June 28 and is still ongoing; judicial action was taken against 1 suspect. It was determined that the fire broke out as a result of the fire set by individual D. A. to clean the beehives spreading to the forested area. 1 individual was arrested. In the Halıca neighborhood of Balıkesir-Havran; in connection with the forest fire that started on June 28 and was extinguished on June 29; judicial action was taken against 1 suspect. It was understood that the fire broke out due to sparks from the welding machine used by individual M. N. 1 individual was released after their statement was taken," he stated.

"9 SUSPECTS ENGAGED IN FOREST CUTTING ACTIVITIES DETAINED"

Minister Yerlikaya reported that 9 individuals engaged in forest cutting work were detained in connection with the fire that broke out in the Alacaat neighborhood of Bursa Mustafa Kemalpaşa, stating: "In the Çamköy neighborhood of Balıkesir-Bigadiç; it was determined that the forest fire that started on June 26 and was extinguished on the same day occurred due to the fire that started in the field spreading to the forested area. Judicial action was taken against 3 suspicious individuals. Regarding the incident, suspects I. Ç., A. Ç., and F. I. were released after their statements were taken. In the Gökçeören neighborhood of Balıkesir-Altıeylül; it was determined that the forest fire that started on July 1 and was extinguished on the same day began due to sparks from the combine harvester. Judicial action was taken against 1 suspect. Individual M. T. was arrested. In the Yenikent town of Kütahya-Gediz; it was determined that the forest fire that started on July 1 and was extinguished on July 2 occurred due to sparks from the combine harvester. Judicial action was taken against 1 suspect. Individual R. A. was released under judicial control. In the Alacaat neighborhood of Bursa-Mustafa Kemalpaşa; 9 suspects engaged in forest cutting activities were detained in connection with the forest fire that started on July 1 and was extinguished on July 2. Judicial proceedings for the 9 suspects are ongoing."

Minister Yerlikaya stated that judicial proceedings for the 4 individuals detained in connection with the fires in İzmir Buca are ongoing, saying, "In the Zafer neighborhood of İzmir-Buca, the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred due to sparks generated while working with the welding machine. 4 individuals named N. I., S. R., Y. N., and B. N. were detained. Judicial proceedings for the suspects are ongoing. In the Balabancı village of Uşak-Eşme; the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred due to sparks generated while working with the baler in the field. Individuals R. S. and B. S. were detained and arrested. In the Karabıyık neighborhood of Kahramanmaraş-Pazarcık; the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred due to sparks from a picnic fire spreading to the forested area. Suspect M. N. was released under judicial control. In the Bardakçı neighborhood of Eskişehir-Seyitgazi; the fire that started on July 4 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred in the area where forest cutting workers were working. 2 suspects were detained. Judicial proceedings for the suspects are ongoing," he stated.

"IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE MUCH MORE CAUTIOUS AND PREPARED, ESPECIALLY DURING HOT SUMMER DAYS"

Emphasizing that citizens need to be cautious to protect forests during the summer days, Minister Yerlikaya said, "In the Hisarköy neighborhood of Mersin-Mut; the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was evaluated to have originated from an electric pole, and 1 suspect was detained. The suspect was released after their statement was taken. In the Karıncak village of Kırklareli-Central; in connection with the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day; individuals A. S. and D. Ç. who were caught at the fire's origin were released after their statements were taken. In the Çanta Balan neighborhood of Istanbul-Silivri; the fire that started on July 3 and was extinguished on the same day was determined to have occurred due to sparks generated while working with the welding machine. 2 suspects named V. S. and N. K. B. who caused the fire were detained and arrested. It is of great importance that our citizens are much more cautious and prepared to protect our forests, especially during hot summer days. May God protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters," he said.

Minister Yerlikaya's post is as follows;