53 people suffer in Antalya wildfire - UPDATED

At least 53 people suffered in the massive wildfire in Turkey's Antalya, Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said, Report informs, citing RIA Novosti.

18:06

Turkey's Antalya has reported a massive wildfire. Report informs, citing TASS, that the TRT channel has disseminated footage showing the blaze crawl outside the city.

The intense heat in four areas in the nearby forest caused the fire, with the blaze spreading rapidly due to strong wind. The Antalya administration noted that it is the strongest wildfire they have ever seen.

However, the authorities claim the natural calamity does not pose any threat to tourism establishments. "The fire in the area of Manavgat does not pose any threat to the security of tourism facilities. We have not yet received any information about casualties," they say.

More than 100 pieces of equipment, including two airplanes and 15 helicopters, are involved in extinguishing the fire. According to the TV channel, a decision to evacuate all people from the Manavgat Hospital was adopted due to the rapidly spreading blaze. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli has left for the site.