A charming village situated on the hills overlooking the sea on Turkey’s western coast was once a breathtaking sight — until devastating fires turned it into a nightmare.
In recent days, fires have swept through forests and valleys surrounding Izmir, Turkey’s third most populous city.
Abdullah Ozata returned to his village of Sancakli, one of the areas evacuated due to the approaching flames, to assess the damage. He sadly discovered that twelve of his sheep and 50 chickens had perished in the fire, leaving behind only ashes.
“I lost all my livestock,” Ozata lamented as he navigated the debris, realizing he had no other source of income.
Authorities documented the damage and losses for compensation claims, but the devastation was already done. The once picturesque village had been transformed into a charred landscape.
After days of fierce fires fueled by strong winds, officials reported on Sunday that the flames were mostly under control. However, the aftermath left vast areas of scorched land, destroying olive groves, gardens, and beehives.
Despite the efforts to extinguish lingering hotspots, the damage was already severe. Many buildings were damaged, and several people were hospitalized due to injuries related to the blaze.
Gökhan Cekmez, who defied evacuation orders to help combat the flames, expressed that the outside help was insufficient, and villagers had to rely on their own resources to battle the fire.
In Sancakli, residents were slowly recovering as essential services like water and electricity were being restored. The village heavily depends on agriculture and animal husbandry for its livelihood.
As the community begins to rebuild, the hope is to receive state aid to cover losses and help replant burnt areas. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the villagers remain resilient and determined to revive their once thriving village.
