Four dead from fires in Turkey, several villages evacuated

The death toll from forest fires on Turkey's southern coast has reached four, while firefighters are struggling with flames for the third day in a row.

On Friday, dozens of villages and several hotels were reported evacuations.

More than 60 fires have spread to 17 provinces on the coast of Aegean and Mediterranean in Turkey, officials have said.

Officials have pledged to hold those who have launched these fires accountable.

Villages and several hotels have been evacuated to areas with many tourists.

Minister for Forestry Bekir Packemirli has said the fires are still raging in the Antalya region and the Mugla province.

“We've hoped we'd stop several fires this morning, but I can't say we've got” under control, he said.

Fires have also begun in the region, since 40 have been reported in Greece in the last 24 hours.

Greek authorities have said they have been driven by high temperatures and winds.

Several fires north of Athens have reportedly damaged dozens of homes before being controlled.

Fires have also been reported in Lebanon this week, leaving at least one fireman dead.