Wildfires near Canakkale have led to the closure of the Dardanelles Strait, a crucial shipping route between Europe and Asia, as firefighters battle the blazes and residents evacuate.
Dardanelles Strait Closed Amid Ongoing Wildfires in Turkey
Dardanelles Strait Closed Amid Ongoing Wildfires in Turkey
The Dardanelles Strait faces a temporary closure to maritime traffic due to raging wildfires in north-western Turkey, prompting evacuations and emergency responses.
The Dardanelles Strait, a significant maritime route linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, has been temporarily closed to shipping traffic as large-scale forest fires engulf north-western Turkey. According to the country's transport ministry, the closure is a precautionary measure due to the escalating wildfires threatening the nearby city of Canakkale.
Local authorities have begun evacuating residents in affected areas while deploying firefighters to combat the flames. The Turkish firefighting units have mobilized specialist aircraft, including planes and helicopters, to support ground crews in their efforts to contain the wildfires.
The Dardanelles Strait, alongside the Bosporus Strait, represents a critical passage for international trade between Europe and Asia. The closure is expected to impact shipping schedules and could have broader implications for global trade as the region grapples with ongoing extreme heat conditions.
As wildfires continue to rage in both Greece and Turkey, the effects of climate change are increasingly visible, prompting discussions about long-term strategies to mitigate such disasters in the future.
