For the second time in the last 24 hours, the Dardanelles Strait has been completely closed to ship traffic.
This is due to the forest fires raging in Turkey – thus ensuring the maximum possible efficiency of actions to eliminate the fire element.
Aviation is involved in the fight against a major forest fire,” TASS citing the NTV channel, which transmits information directly from the region.
It was previously reported that the strait was closed to ships for the first time on Tuesday, August 22.
This was done to ensure the most optimal operation of aircraft and boats with water jets.
In addition, smoke from forest fires raging in Canakkale province severely limited visibility in the Dardanelles.
In the evening of the same day, at 21:30 (the time coincides with Belarusian), the passage of ships from the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean was resumed.
But today at dawn, the Turkish Ministry of Transport closed the strait again – for greater efficiency in the work of those involved in eliminating the fires.
Last night they tried to cope with the ferocious fires using 4 helicopters with night vision systems, as well as ground forces of fire departments.
In total, 8 aircraft, about 30 helicopters, and more than 200 units of ground equipment are involved in extinguishing the fire, which by this time has spread over an area of 1,500 hectares.
Authorities evacuated 1,200 residents of 9 rural settlements located dangerously close to the fire.
Staff and patients at the local hospital were also evacuated.
