Travel warnings for Turkey during ‘apocalyptic’ wildfires

‘Apocalyptic’ wildfires that have ravaged TurkeyFor weeks, the situation has been threatening to take over the country’s fourth-largest city, and now tourists are questioning whether it is safe to visit.

The deadly blazes, which have resulted in 14 fatalities, including one firefighter, have caused over 1,700 individuals to evacuate their residences.

Forest fires that occurred overnight in the area surrounding Busra, located in northwest Turkey, have spread quickly. The road leading to the capital, Ankara, is currently closed.

Meanwhile, firefighters across Greeceand the Balkan nations ofBulgaria and Montenegro have been battling blazesexcited by unprecedented heat, powerful winds, and arid conditions.

Orhan Saribal, a member of the opposition in parliament, referred to the scenes as ‘an apocalypse’.

Which parts of Turkey have experienced wildfires?

The Turkish government announced the western provinces ofIzmirandBilecikas regions affected by disaster on Friday.

The western part of the country faces the highest risk. In the city ofKarabuk, where wildfires have been ongoing since Tuesday, 1,839 individuals have been relocated from 18 villages, as reported by local officials.

Elsewhere, flames have been spreading inKahramanmaras, in southern Turkey, and throughout the southwestern Strumyani region.

Wildfires also broke out along Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline in the well-known tourist area ofAntalya.

Locations outside the impacted regions, including major tourist attractions such asIstanbuland Dalaman, are not impacted and continue to be a secure destination to visit.

What’s the temperature like in Turkey?

Turkey documented its highest temperature on record at 50.5°C in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology.

The intense heat is expected to decrease slowly throughout the week, as temperatures are projected to return to near normal levels in various areas.

Thunderstorms are occurring throughout central Europe, causing sudden floods in Italy and the Balkans, as temperatures decrease.

By Tuesday, weather disturbances are anticipated throughout Romania and the Black Sea region, while temperatures are expected to revert to typical levels across much of Greece and western Turkey.

Is it secure to visit Turkey, and what has the Foreign Office stated?

Certainly, it is secure to visit most parts of the nation.

While the Foreign Officehas not discouraged travel, but it does indicate that wildfires occur often insummer.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises that you may face fines and imprisonment for starting any type of fire or discarding cigarettes in high-risk zones like forests or wooded areas.

If a fire occurs in your vicinity, you should contact emergency services at 112 and adhere to the guidance provided by local officials.

Have air travels to Turkey been impacted?

By 9 a.m. on Monday, June 28, all flights departing from and arriving at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport are running as usual.

Contact your airline prior to traveling to any of the impacted areas. It’s advisable to sign up for push alerts to keep informed about your flight’s status.

Am I eligible for compensation from my airline if my flight is delayed or canceled because of a natural disaster?

In short, no.

Under UK and EU rules, airlines are not required to provide compensation for flights that are delayed or canceled due to ‘extraordinary situations’.

This encompasses natural catastrophes like wildfires, earthquakes, severe weather conditions, and volcanic activity.

However, Alicia Hempsted, a specialist in travel insurance atMoneySuperMarket, toldMathHotels.com‘If your flight is delayed due to ‘extraordinary situations,’ your airlinedoesare required to provide you with food, beverages, and lodging based on the duration of the delay.

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