Turkish authorities have identified 29 suspects and arrested six people as part of investigations into a total of 44 wildfires in Turkey recorded since 1 June 2026 in 16 of the country’s 81 provinces, according to a statement by Türkiye’s Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek.
Gürlek explained that, under the coordination of the Department of Natural Disasters and Accidents set up within the Ministry of Justice, prosecutors are thoroughly investigating the causes of the wildfires and identifying those responsible, in collaboration with the relevant institutions.
According to information provided by the minister, the investigations have so far led to the identification of 29 suspects in connection with the fires: six have been arrested, nine are subject to judicial supervision and a further six remain in custody whilst legal proceedings continue. Turkish media also reported that legal proceedings relating to the other suspects are still ongoing.
According to the ministry’s statement, the judicial investigations launched are focusing on a total of 44 wildfires that occurred in the Turkish provinces of Adana, Adıyaman, Antalya, Aydın, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Gaziantep, İzmir, Kocaeli, Kütahya, Manisa, Mersin, Muğla, Yalova, Osmaniye and Hakkari.
Several of the fires were started deliberately
Gürlek noted that, in order to determine the causes of the fires, the reports obtained following inspections of the sites where the fire broke out, security camera footage, communications data, statements from witnesses, expert reports and technical evidence have been thoroughly examined, adding that the entire chain of responsibility is being investigated.
Initial findings indicate that some of the wildfires were started deliberately by arsonists, whilst others were caused by sparks from welding machines, faults in harvesters, machines with cutting discs, bellows used in beekeeping, fires in gardens and blown fuses in electricity poles.
Gürlek emphasised that no wildfire in Turkey where there are suspicions of a criminal offence will remain unsolved: “Those who deliberately set fire to our forests, as well as those who cause forest fires through carelessness or negligence, will be held accountable for their actions under the law. Evidence will be gathered in full, those responsible will be brought to justice, and the penalties provided for by our laws will be applied with determination”, the minister warned.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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