Turkey battles fire near tourist hubs

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

ANKARA (AFP) — Strong winds on Sunday hampered around 1,300 firefighters battling to control a major fire sweeping through woodlands on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, officials said.

Local governor Alaaddin Yuksel said the blaze in the province of Antalya had largely been brought under control, but at least one new fire broke in the region later in the day.

"The fire is continuing while being generally brought under control," Yuksel was quoted as saying by Anatolia.

Antalya, Turkey's main tourist destination, attracts about seven million foreign tourists every year and is dotted with holiday resorts and prominent historical sites.

A new fire broke out Sunday near Manavgat, which is home to several large resorts, the environment ministry said, adding...