Istanbul (Reuters) -Turkish authorities arrested ten suspects with regard to forest fires who broke out throughout the country last week, said the Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Friday.
The forest fires killed at least two people in the western coastal province of Izmir, while firing teams supported by planes and helicopters struggled to control the Blazes.
High temperatures, strong wind and low humidity also caused a rapid spread of the fires.
Authorities have established that some of the 65 fires that broke out since 26 June were due to the use of welding and agricultural machinery in the vicinity of the forest area and burning garden waste. Legal proceedings for 15 more suspects continue, said Yerlikaya.
Minister of Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, said that nine out of ten forest fires that teams fought on Friday were largely under control, while the attempts to control the fire in the province of Southovern Hatay will continue at night.
(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, adaptation by Nick Zieminski)
