Helicopter fighting forest fire crashes in western Türkiye

A firefighting helicopter crashed into a dam with four people onboard while responding to a forest fire in western Izmir province, an official said early September 17. 

Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli wrote on X that the chopper crashed into the Tahtali Dam in the Menderes district after it lost contact with the team, Anadolu reports.

Yumakli said one of the four personnel was rescued and search and rescue efforts continue for the rest.

The forest fire broke out in the Keler neighbourhood for unknown reasons.