August 16th 2024.
The recent wildfires in Gallipoli, Turkey have been a cause of concern for many, especially for those with personal connections to the Australian soldiers buried in the ANZAC Cove. Luckily, the fires have now been brought under control, but the threat of damage still looms over the area.
The fires were sparked by the dry, hot, and windy weather conditions, which quickly spread across the Gallipoli Peninsula, affecting several commemorative and operational sites. The extent of the damage is still unknown, and it has not been confirmed whether the Australian war graves and memorials have been affected.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), responsible for maintaining the graves and memorials of soldiers from various countries, including Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and India, among others, has reported that their staff was safely evacuated from the peninsula. The CWGC oversees more than 30 cemeteries on the Gallipoli Peninsula and expressed their deep concern over the fires and the potential damage they may have caused. They reassured that any damage will be assessed and remediated as soon as possible.
The CWGC also extended their gratitude to the firefighters and emergency services who have been working tirelessly to keep the local people and villages safe, as well as to limit the damage to the commemorative sites. Images of the scorched gravestones and gardens overlooking the Aegean Sea are a grim reminder of the devastation caused by the fires.
As the emergency services continue to battle the fires, which were reportedly started by an electrical fault, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli has confirmed that 17 out of 47 fires are still active. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while addressing a press conference, expressed his sympathy for the people of Turkey, who are going through a difficult time due to the fires in their country. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who take care of the cemeteries and welcome thousands of Australians who visit the ANZAC headstones each year.
Albanese also emphasized the significance of Gallipoli, which is considered sacred ground for both Australia and Turkey. This is evident from the fact that it has been two months since authorities announced a massive increase in forest fires in the country, fueled by record-breaking temperatures. The news of fires in such an iconic and historically important location has caused distress to many, and it is heartening to see the efforts being made to control and contain the situation.
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