A devastating fire that ignited in crop fields has claimed the lives of eleven people in southeastern Türkiye, officials confirmed following overnight efforts to contain the blaze.

The fire, which started in an area spanning between the provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin, rapidly spread through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi, and Bagacik, propelled by strong winds.

Diyarbakir governor Ali Ihsan Su reported that firefighters managed to bring the fire under control early on Friday morning after it engulfed several settlements. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca shared on social media that eleven people lost their lives in the blaze, with approximately 80 others requiring medical treatment, including six individuals in critical condition.

Authorities, including Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, have initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. According to local reports, local residents suspect the fire may have been sparked by electrical lines igniting crop residues. Some of the injured were villagers who attempted to extinguish the flames.

Local sources also tragically reported that hundreds of farm animals perished in the fire. The incident has brought widespread devastation to the affected communities, prompting urgent relief efforts and support from regional authorities.

The aftermath of the fire underscores the challenges faced by rural areas in combating wildfires amid dry conditions and strong winds, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and preventative measures in the region. (ILKHA)