In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the fire in Mersinlik village in the Kantara region of the İskele district, which has been going on for 2 days, flared up again with the effect of the wind in the evening hours. It’s been reported that the fire, which was previously reported to have been largely under control, approached the villages of Tatlısu and Kantara. İskele District Governor Ertuğrul Toroslu stated that the efforts are continuing at full speed to take the fire under control in Mersinlik and Tatlısu regions. “4 planes and 2 helicopters are fighting the fire. Our state and homeland Turkey is in the region with all its possibilities. Our hope is to extinguish the fire and start cooling works,” Toroslu said.
In addition, Toroslu stated that TRNC President Ersin Tatar and TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel are expected to visit the fire area again. In the statement made by the TRNC Prime Ministry Press and Public Relations Directorate, it’s been stated that at 08:15 pm local time, Prime Minister Üstel canceled the Güzelyurt program, which he would attend together with Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay. In the statement, it’s been also announced that Üstel would visit the fire area, which intensified again in the Mersinlik region and changed direction with the effect of the wind.