A wild fire that broke out in Çanakkale's Eceabat district on Tuesday afternoon has led authorities to close the Dardanelles Strait to ship traffic, as firefighting operations intensify by air and ground.

The blaze, which started around 16:00 yesterday, prompted immediate aerial and land-based response efforts that continued throughout the night. As a precautionary measure, Büyükanafarta village was evacuated, and access to the Gallipoli Historical Site was halted.

Currently, firefighting operations involve 9 airplanes, 6 helicopters, 94 land vehicles, and 540 personnel actively combating the flames.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed the closure of the Dardanelles Strait due to the ongoing fire.

“Ship traffic in the Dardanelles Strait has been temporarily suspended in one direction north-south. Vessel traffic will continue in one direction south-north,” the ministry said.

Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent its spread further into the region, which holds historical and ecological significance. The situation remains dynamic as firefighting efforts persist amid challenging conditions. (ILKHA)