A woman attempts to stop a wildfire encroaching on Kacarlar, a village close to Antalya’s Mediterranean coastal town Manavgat. Saturday, July 31, 2021. Two forest workers died in wildfires that raged in Turkey’s Mediterranean cities on Saturday, bringing the death toll to six. Since Wednesday, fires have encroached on tourist areas and villages in Turkey and forced people to flee. (AP Photo).

ISTANBUL (AP), Panicked tourists from Turkey ran to the coast to wait for rescue boats Saturday, after being instructed to evacuate Bodrum hotel in the Aegean resort. This was due to wildfire dangers nearby. Turkish media reported.

The operation was led by coast guard units. Authorities asked for private boats and yachts to help in the evacuation effort from the water as wildfires flared. Video captured plumes of smoke and fire covering a hill near the coast.

Two forest workers died in wildfires that raged in Turkey’s Mediterranean cities on Saturday, bringing the death toll to six. Since Wednesday, fires have erupted in Turkey’s forests and some settlements. This has forced people to flee their homes and tourist spots and has encroached on villages.

Bekir Pakdemirli (Minister of Agriculture and Forestry) stated Saturday that 91 out of 101 fires that started in strong winds and scorching heat were under control. Turkey’s emergency-and disaster authority declared five affected areas disaster zones.

President Recep Tayyip Erdan visited the region Saturday to inspect the damage from a helicopter.

Erdogan spoke from Manavgat and announced that the Turkish government would pay the rents of those affected by the fire, as well as rebuilding their homes. Erdogan stated that taxes, social security, and credit payments for the affected would be delayed and small businesses would be eligible for credit at zero interest.

He said, “We can’t do anything except to pray for God’s mercy on the lives that have been lost but we can rebuild everything that was destroyed.”

Erdogan stated that the number of aircraft fighting fires has increased from six to thirteen, including planes from Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Ukraine. He also said that thousands of Turkish personnel were supporting the firefighting effort, as well as dozens upon dozens of drones and helicopters.

Five people died in Manavgat from fires, and one in Marmaris. Both are tourist hot spots in the Mediterranean. Turkey’s tourism is a major source of income. Business owners hoped that this summer would bring more tourists to Turkey than last year when travel restrictions caused the decline in tourism.

Fahrettin Koca, Health Minister, stated that 400 people were treated in hospitals after the Manavgat fires. Ten others were still being treated for injuries from fire. Marmaris saw 159 people treated at the hospital, while one person was still being treated for burns.

Flames were reported to have jumped into areas populated in southern Hatay Province, but they were eventually brought under control.

Wildfires are common during the dry summer months in Turkey’s Mediterranean-Aegean region. Turkey blamed previous forest fires on arsonists or Kurdish militants. Erdogan stated Saturday that authorities are investigating the possibility of “sabotage” in causing the fires.

In the meantime, a heatwave in southern Europe has caused wildfires throughout the Mediterranean, thanks to hot air from Africa.

On Saturday, firefighters fighting blazes caused by high temperatures fought dozens of fires on Sicily. The governor of the island requested assistance from Rome. Around 150 people were trapped in two areas along the coast of Catania. They were evacuated by sea late Friday.

In many cities and towns, temperatures in Greece and other countries of southeast Europe will rise to 42 degrees Celsius (more that 107 Fahrenheit) Monday.