Elderly Man In Wheelchair Rescued By Aid Organisation Workers During Wildfire In Western Turkey; Dramatic Video Goes Viral

A dramatic video has surfaced online showing two members of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation rescuing an elderly man in a wheelchair, who was unable to move himself, from his burning house after huge wildfires broke out in Izmir, Turkey.

The video shows a firefighter climbing the stairs while carrying the elderly man, while another retrieves his wheelchair.

According to reports, firefighters in Turkey have been battling wildfires for the last three days in the western province of Izmir, fanned by strong winds.

Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli told the media on Monday that wildfires in the Kuyucak and Doğanbey areas of Izmir were fuelled overnight by winds reaching 40–50 kph (25–30 mph), leading to the evacuation of four villages and two neighbourhoods.

Yumakli stated that helicopters, firefighting aircraft, other vehicles, and over a thousand personnel were working to bring the fire under control.

Footage has emerged on social media showing tractors with water trailrs being used to combat the flames.

Several wildfires have been reported in Turkey's coastal regions in recent years. Scientists attribute climate change as the reason for the frequent devastation in the recent past.