Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
🧿 LOCAL NEWS
Awareness banner campaign by Fethiye Police Department promotes helmet safety
The Fethiye District Police Department has launched an impactful awareness campaign to encourage motorcycle riders to adopt the habit of wearing helmets. Banners featuring the message “Protect Your Head by Wearing a Helmet, Let the Road End in Health” have been displayed at various locations across the city, drawing attention to the importance of safe driving practices.
The campaign seeks to highlight the critical role helmets play in preventing serious injuries during traffic accidents. By promoting helmet use, the Fethiye Police aim to foster a culture of safety among motorcycle riders and contribute to reducing road-related injuries and fatalities.
A representative from the Fethiye District Police Department stated that such initiatives are part of their broader efforts to build a more safety-conscious society. They emphasised that raising public awareness about traffic safety is essential for saving lives and ensuring a healthier community.
The banners, positioned in high-visibility areas, serve as a constant reminder of the life-saving impact of helmets, urging all riders to prioritise their safety on the road.
Source: Fethiye TV
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality to showcase 13 districts at EMITT Tourism Fair
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality is gearing up to participate in the 28th EMITT – Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair, one of the world’s largest tourism events, with a focus on promoting its 13 districts.
The EMITT Fair, which hosted approximately 30,000 visitors and 653 domestic and international participants from 95 countries in 2024, will take place this year from February 5–7 at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center. The event is a major platform connecting domestic and international tourists with Turkey’s top holiday destinations while supporting the branding efforts of participating cities.
Under the leadership of Ahmet Aras, Mayor of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, the municipality has been working to align with the vision of “World City Muğla.” At EMITT, the municipality will highlight Muğla’s natural beauty, historical depth, and cultural treasures, emphasizing its status as a tourism hotspot.
Source: Fethiye TV
🧿 NEWS FROM AROUND TÜRKIYE
4-storey building collapses in Konya: rescue efforts ongoing for trapped victims
A four-storey building on Beyşehir Street in the Selçuklu district of Konya collapsed on 24 January 2025, prompting an extensive rescue operation by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and other emergency teams.
AFAD quickly mobilised a 200-person team, including personnel from fire, police, health, and municipality services. Additional support was dispatched from neighbouring provinces, including Ankara, Eskişehir, and Antalya. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, emergency responders reached the scene within 10 minutes of the initial report.
“Our search and rescue efforts are ongoing,” Minister Yerlikaya stated, adding that a Mobile Coordination Truck and specialised rescue teams had been sent to the site.
Initial reports indicated that five people were trapped under the rubble. Three of them have been rescued alive—two after five hours of work and the third after seven hours. All survivors were immediately transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
The Konya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident, appointing one Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor and two Public Prosecutors. A detailed examination of the site will follow the completion of rescue efforts.
Konya Governor İbrahim Akın confirmed that the trapped individuals were members of the same family, according to information provided by two survivors.
Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay of Konya Metropolitan Municipality noted that the building had an occupancy permit and was not under urban transformation. “Based on eyewitness accounts and findings, we believe 12 out of the 14 apartments were unoccupied. We ask for everyone’s prayers,” he stated.
Mayor Altay urged residents to avoid causing traffic congestion on Beyşehir Street to ensure a smooth operation for rescue teams.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear, and further investigations will determine whether any structural or maintenance issues contributed to the incident.
This tragedy underscores the importance of building safety and preparedness, and authorities continue to work tirelessly to rescue the remaining individuals. Updates will be shared as developments unfold.
Source: TRT Haber
245,000 tons of marine litter cleared in 5 years under Zero Waste Blue
Over the past five years, a staggering 245,000 tons of marine litter — equivalent to filling 20,500 trucks — has been removed from the seas within the first phase of the Zero Waste Blue initiative under the broader Zero Waste Project.
Launched on June 10, 2019, the initiative focuses on tackling marine pollution and preserving marine ecosystems.
The program involves action plans tailored to 28 coastal provinces, targeting the prevention of waste at its source. Efforts include cleaning coastlines, sea surfaces and seabeds, along with implementing region-specific measures to curb pollution.
Furthermore, nationwide education and awareness campaigns have been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices and public participation.
Marine litter primarily consists of non-biodegradable materials such as plastic bags, bottles, fishing nets, single-use plastics and cigarette butts, all of which pose significant threats to marine life. In 2024 alone, 25,480 tons of waste was collected.
With the conclusion of the first action plan, the second five-year Marine Litter Provincial Action Plans have been introduced in 2025. The new measures aim to expand and intensify efforts to combat marine pollution, ensuring a cleaner and healthier future of Türkiye’s waters.
The Zero Waste Project, initiated in 2017 under the auspices of first lady Emine Erdoğan, aims to manage waste sustainably by preventing its generation, promoting efficient resource use and enhancing recycling efforts.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Harmankaya Canyon declared a strictly protected area
A presidential decree published in the Official Gazette has officially declared Harmankaya Canyon, located in the Yenipazar district of Bilecik, as a strictly protected sensitive area. The canyon, which was designated a nature park in 2013, spans 3 kilometers and has become a beloved destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, thanks to its dramatic cliffs and breathtaking waterfalls.
The canyon’s towering cliffs, ranging from 300 to 600 meters high, draw mountain climbers from across the country, especially during the autumn months. Each weekend, the area sees a surge of visitors eager to tackle its challenging hiking trails.
To preserve and promote the unique beauty of the area, a local culture and tourism association has been operating in the region for over a decade. Sezgin Sarıkaya, a founding member of the association, praised the canyon not only for its natural wonder but also for its historical significance. He pointed out that the canyon is tied to the origins of the Ottoman Empire, with the tomb of Abdullah Mihal Ghazi, a companion of Osman Ghazi, the founder of the empire, located in the region.
In addition to serving as a prime location for trekking, the canyon is a popular camping spot, drawing nature lovers who seek to immerse themselves in its stunning landscapes. As the area continues to gain popularity, the new protection status aims to safeguard this gem for future generations.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkish Airlines flight lands in Syria after 13-year hiatus
Flag carrier Turkish Airlines on Thursday landed its first Istanbul-Damascus flight since 2012, ending a 13-year hiatus that was due to Syria’s civil war.
Many Syrians voiced joy at returning to their homeland after years of exile. Some were seen carrying flags from December’s Syrian revolution, which saw the Assad regime quickly fall.
Nearly 350 passengers boarded the flight to Damascus International Airport after ticket and passport checks.
Passenger Fatma Zehra told reporters that she had come to Türkiye when she was only 2 years old, and was very excited to return along with her family to her homeland where she was born.
Now 14 years old, Zehra said: “I’ve never seen my country. I’m so excited to see it for the first time. We will be going from Damascus to Aleppo. I’ll see my grandmother there.”
Some 4 million Syrians took refuge in neighboring Türkiye during the war, more than in any other country.
Ahmet Kiraz, another passenger, said he came to Türkiye in 2012, built a life by studying and working, and never expected to return to Syria.
“We thought we would never go back,” he said. “But when the opportunity came, we were so happy. I’m returning to my country on the first flight, it feels like a dream.”
Source: Anadolu Agency
🧿 SPORT
Fethiyespor
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Results
Fethiyespor drew their home match against Beykoz Anadolu on Sunday. The final score was 1-1.
Fethiyespor remain in 9th position in the league table.
League Matches
Saturday 1 February at home against Iskenderunspor. The kick-off time is at 14:00.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 44.48 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 43.14 TL.
The US Dollar bought 35.64 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.43 TL.
The Euro bought 37.44 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 36.50 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
2 responses
Great insight to the news around,
Keep up the good work
Thank you Paul. It’s always good to hear our readers enjoy the round up 🧿