A fire that spread to settlements in Türkiye killed 11 people. Greece evacuates villages for security reasons | SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A fire that apparently started in crop stubble spread through settlements in southeastern Turkey overnight, killing 11 people and leaving dozens more needing medical care, officials and media said Friday.

In neighboring Greece, authorities evacuated several villages south of Athens and the southern Peloponnese region due to forest fires.

The fire in Türkiye broke out in an area between Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces. Fanned by winds, it moved quickly through the villages of Koksalan, Yazcicegi and Bagacik, Diyarbakir Governor Ali Ihsan Su said. The fire was brought under control Friday morning.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca published on X that 11 people had been killed. Around 80 other people required treatment, including six in serious condition.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said authorities had opened an investigation into the cause of the fire, which lit up the night sky.

Residents believe the fire was caused by sparks from a power line that ignited crop residue, according to independent news site Gazete Duvar. Some of those hospitalized were villagers who tried to put out the fire, the statement said.

Hundreds of farm animals also died in the fire, according to the HaberTurk news channel.

Meanwhile, across northwest Turkey, firefighters were battling a forest fire near the town of Ayvacik in Canakkale province, state-run Anadolu Agency said.

No one was injured, but authorities evacuated the small village of Camkoy as a precaution, the agency reported.

It was one of several wildfires that broke out in Canakkale province last week, amid high winds and scorching summer temperatures.

Forest fires also broke out in Greece in very windy, hot and dry conditions. Six villages or settlements were evacuated as a precaution due to forest fires near Anavyssos, just south of Athens, and in the southern Peloponnese region.

No injuries or property damage were immediately reported and firefighters on the ground were assisted by water-wielding aircraft.

The Athens metropolitan area was in first emergency position for wildfires on Friday due to weather forecasts, with bans on entering forests and parks.