A village with a stunning sea view on Turkey’s western coast saw its picturesque setting turn into a nightmare as engulfing flames ravaged the area.
Recent days have seen fires tear through forests and steep valleys around Izmir, Turkey’s third most-populous city.
Abdullah Ozata returned to his village of Sancakli, one of the areas evacuated due to the spreading flames, to find the devastation and loss he faced.
Showing the remains of his burnt livestock, Ozata shared how he lost all his animals in the blaze that swept through the landscape.
“Our village was once beautiful like a paradise, but it has now become a hell,” shared Ozata after witnessing the aftermath of the fire.
Authorities reported that the fire, the largest in Turkey this summer, has been mostly brought under control after four days of intense burning.
Despite efforts to contain the blaze, extensive areas of charred land and damaged buildings remain in Izmir, with several people hospitalized for fire-related injuries.
Local villagers, like Gokhan Cekmez, defied evacuation orders to fight the flames themselves and prevent further damage.
Recovering from the fire’s effects, the village of Sancakli is slowly returning to normal, with damaged infrastructure being repaired and hopes for recovery through state assistance.
The villagers, relying on agriculture and animal breeding, are now dependent on external support to sustain themselves in the aftermath of the fire.
Residents like Gulhan Arasa, who narrowly escaped the flames with their livestock intact, are eager for the state to assist in restoring their livelihoods.
While the community aims for regeneration and renewal, the scars left by the fire serve as a reminder of the challenges they face in rebuilding their lives.
