Tragedy in Turkey, 10 dead forest workers during efforts to extinguish a major fire

A massive forest fire near the town of Eskishir in Turkey has caused a severe tragedy, where 10 people -- forest workers and volunteer firemen -- have lost their lives during the fire extinguisher operation.

Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı confirmed the news, who suggested that in total 24 persons were blocked by flames, including 19 forest workers. Ten of them failed to survive.

According to reports by Turkish media, there was also the director of the Forest Directorate in the Eskishire region, Ismail Cetin.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday's morning, in a forest area near the villages of Büyükyayla and Fethiye, to further spread to the neighboring province of Afyoncarcharisar.

Numerous air vehicles and fire crews have been engaged on the ground, which are continuing efforts to put fire under control.

Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the flame explosion, while the search-saving operation and fire isolation follows. /Periscopi/