The death toll from the devastating fire in Diyarbakır (Amed) and Mardin (Merdin) has risen to 14, with funerals and condolence ceremonies held yesterday amid mourning and criticism of delayed aerial intervention.
The fire, which swept through rural areas, resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage, with preliminary investigations revealing that it was caused by neglected power lines that are over 35 years old.
Victims Fadıl Demir and Kerime Erdenli, who were receiving treatment in Diyarbakır, succumbed to their injuries. Fadıl Demir’s funeral will take place in Kelekê village, Mazıdağı (Şemrex), on Saturday. Twelve other victims were buried in Kelekê, including Rezan Yılmaz, Azat Yılmaz, Mazher Demir, Nuri Demir, Taliha Demir, Hasan Demir, Şeyhmus Demir, Resul Yılmaz and Sinan Deviren. İsmail Yardım was buried in Helberê village, while Ubeydullah Buğdaycı and Abdurrahman Buğdaycı were laid to rest in Tobînîyê village.
The City Protection and Solidarity Platform, which investigated the disaster site, highlighted the severe consequences of the delayed aerial intervention. “The extent of the destruction is significant,” the platform stated in its preliminary report, noting that both the ecosystem and local communities suffered greatly.
The report revealed that the fire affected 5,500 hectares of land, with over 2,000 hectares being cultivated fields. It resulted in the death of 14 people and left many others injured, including five in critical condition. Additionally, 504 animals perished, 214 were slaughtered and over 100 remain under treatment.
Investigations pointed to faulty electrical wires as the likely cause of the fire, exacerbated by inadequate maintenance since their installation in 1987. The platform criticised the lack of proper agricultural policies, which forced farmers to burn stubble, increasing fire risks. The region’s challenging terrain made ground interventions difficult, further complicating efforts to control the blaze.
The report urged several immediate actions, including declaring the region a disaster area, conducting thorough investigations to hold those responsible accountable and compensating affected residents for their losses.
