A devastating fire straddling the provinces of Mardin (Mêrdîn) and Diyarbakır (Amed) has exposed critical healthcare shortcomings in Turkey’s Kurdish-majority regions, with a preliminary report highlighting the lack of burn treatment facilities in the region affected by the fire.
On 20 June, a fire between the villages of Mardin’s Mazıdağı (Şemrex) and Diyarbakır’s Çınar (Xana Axpar) resulted in 15 deaths, according to the Mardin Medical Association (MTO). The report, released on Sunday, noted that over 1,500 small livestock perished and more than 50,000 acres of land were affected. The night-time blaze and challenging access to some areas hindered ground response efforts, and there were allegations that civilians attempting to reach the site of the fire to assist with extinguishing the flames were blocked by Turkish security forces.
The report noted the absence of aerial firefighting support, which may have been another factor contributing to high fatality figure. “The lack of airborne intervention is thought to have exacerbated the losses,” it said. The document also revealed that many patients had to be transferred to neighbouring provinces due to the lack of burns treatment units in Mardin. “This situation may have contributed to the increased fatalities from burns requiring immediate care,” it stated.
Additionally, the report raised concerns about the risk of new fires due to inadequate cooling efforts, and highlighted the severe health risks posed by smoke inhalation. “Fine particles in smoke can cause chronic heart and lung diseases, cancer and premature death,” it warned, urging preventive measures for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children and those with pre-existing conditions.
The investigation suggested the fire might have started in electrical wires and spread rapidly due to the high winds, confirming earlier witness reports. It stressed the need for legal and transparent processes to identify and hold accountable any responsible parties. It also recommended declaring the region a disaster area to expedite aid and recovery efforts.
To minimise psychological trauma, the report advised against sharing distressing images of injured people and animals. It also emphasised the importance of public education on fire safety, particularly during the hot summer months when such incidents are more frequent. The association pledged to continue collaboration with public and private institutions and civil society groups to address the multifaceted impacts of the disaster.
“We are committed to working in solidarity with various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive responses to such calamities,” the medical association stated.
As of 11:26 on Sunday 23 June, the death toll from the wildfire in Mardin and Diyarbakır provinces in southeastern Turkey had risen to 15. At least 78 people have also been injured in the fire, six of whom are in critical condition. The fire broke out on Thursday evening and spread quickly due to strong winds. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
