Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Disaster Drill at Fethiye State Hospital Simulates Real-Life Emergency
Fethiye, Muğla – A disaster and emergency drill held in the garden of Fethiye State Hospital replicated the urgency and intensity of a real emergency, testing the hospital’s readiness for disaster response.
The exercise simulated a collapse in the Göcek Tunnel, with 22 injured people transported to the hospital by ambulance. The National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and hospital staff implemented the green, yellow, and red triage coding system to prioritize patients. According to the scenario, 12 students acted as minor injuries, 8 as moderate, and 2 as severe. The drill allowed healthcare teams to anticipate potential challenges in emergency coordination and patient care.
Chief Physician Yavuz Okulu praised the hospital teams, saying:
“Our colleagues conducted the drill very well indeed. When we received news that approximately 20 people were injured in the Göcek Tunnel during the drill, we took the necessary precautions, informed our colleagues, and provided medical attention to the injured. We treated a total of 22 patients, two of whom were red, eight were yellow, and twelve were green, and completed their procedures successfully.”
Hospital HAP Officer and Civil Defense Supervisor Can Alptekin emphasized the importance of basing drills on realistic scenarios:
“I was appointed as the hospital civil defense supervisor, and I am fulfilling this duty. At the behest of our chief physician, we decided to conduct the drill this year, themed ‘Göcek Tunnel Collapse.’ We want to make the drills as realistic as possible. Instead of focusing on scenarios like potential landslides and avalanches in our area, we focus on situations that could actually occur and lead to accidents. We are also working to raise awareness among our personnel. To eliminate the question of, ‘We conduct drills, but what would we do if an accident actually happened?’, we conduct all our drills and raise awareness among our colleagues.”
The drill concluded successfully, strengthening preparedness and ensuring Fethiye State Hospital teams are better equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to potential disasters.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-devlet-hastanesinde-afet-tatbikati-gercegini-aratmadi
Three People Stranded on the Lycian Way Rescued by JAK and UMKE Teams
Seydikemer, Muğla – Two German tourists and a Turkish citizen who lost their way while hiking the Lycian Way were rescued after a two-hour operation carried out by the Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) and National Medical Rescue (UMKE) teams.
German nationals F.H. (33) and S.M.T. (31), together with Turkish citizen E.Ö. (41), had set out on the Lycian Way from the Fethiye district. While hiking in the Yediburunlar area of Seydikemer, they became disoriented. During the incident, E.Ö. sustained a leg injury, prompting the group to call the 112 Emergency Call Center for assistance.
In response, JAK and UMKE teams were dispatched to the area. After approximately two hours of coordinated search and rescue efforts, the teams located the hikers. E.Ö. was evacuated on a stretcher and transported to hospital by ambulance for treatment.
The two German tourists were unharmed and reported to be in good condition.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/likya-yolunda-mahsur-kalan-3-kisiyi-jak-ve-umke-ekipleri-kurtardi
Police Inspect Nearly 30 Nightclubs in Fethiye
In Fethiye, police teams carried out extensive inspections of nightclubs located in the Paspatur Bazaar, one of the district’s busiest nightlife areas. Legal action was initiated against businesses found to have missing or incomplete documents.
The operation, led by the Fethiye District Police Department Public Security Bureau, involved checks on nearly 30 venues in the Paspatur Bars area, 95th and 96th Streets, and the Fish Market. During the inspections, officials reviewed Live Music Certificates issued by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Live Music Sound Device Location Diagrams, Identity Declaration Forms, and employees’ Social Security Institution (SGK) records. Noise warning signs were also examined.
While many venues were found to be in compliance, those with deficiencies were formally warned. In addition, citizens present in the venues underwent General Information Screening (GBT) to identify any wanted individuals.
Police officials emphasized that inspections will intensify, especially in nightlife-heavy areas, to ensure public safety and regulatory compliance.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-gece-yarisi-mekanlara-sok-uygulama
President Kökten: “Tourism in Ölüdeniz Started Badly, But Will End Well”
Ölüdeniz, Muğla – Muhammet Kökten, President of the Ölüdeniz Tourism Development and Beautification Association, announced that the 2025 tourism season, which began later than expected, is now ending on a strong note.
Kökten stated that occupancy rates in September exceeded expectations and are projected to remain high in October, thanks to growing international demand. He noted that Chinese tourists are expected to arrive in significant numbers at the end of September and the first week of October, bringing an important boost to local businesses during the low season.
Emphasizing the need for diversification, Kökten said the region must expand into digital promotion, cultural, sports, and health tourism to reduce dependency on traditional sea-and-sand tourism. “Tourism started badly, but will end well,” he added, expressing optimism for the close of the season.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/baskan-kokten-turizm-kotu-basladi-ama-iyi-bitecek
Seki Residents Protest TOKİ Housing: “Keep Our Meadow Green”
Seki, Antalya – Residents of the Seki neighborhood, home to the historic Horse Meadow where shepherds graze their animals and traditional oil wrestling matches are held, have voiced strong opposition to the construction of multi-story TOKİ housing on the land.
The 96-acre parcel, officially transferred free of charge to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, is planned for development by TOKİ (Housing Development Administration of Turkey). Locals fear the project will erase an area central to their cultural heritage, agriculture, and livestock farming.
The Seki and Surroundings Beautification, Aid, Solidarity and Development Association has organized a public meeting for Friday, September 26 at 2:00 PM at the Seki Coffeehouse. During the meeting, Attorney Bora Sarıca and Suat Selvi, the Fethiye representative of the Chamber of Architects, will provide legal and technical information.
Association President Atiye Kaçar stressed the community’s stance: “We are not opposed to TOKİ building housing; however, it is vital for our meadow to remain pastureland, to protect our water resources, and for our agriculture and livestock farming. We do not want TOKİ housing in the meadowland. Sports fields can be built in the meadowland instead.”
Residents argue that Seki Meadow, also known as Atçayırı (Horse Grass), is not just pasture but also the venue for one of the region’s most historic traditions — oil wrestling — as valuable as the renowned Kırkpınar Wrestling. It is also a gathering place for seasonal highlanders and a social hub for the community.
Locals have begun mobilizing on social media and are preparing to file a lawsuit to stop the housing project. Lawyers have advised that legal applications must be submitted by October 15, both by the association and through individual petitions to strengthen the case as a matter of public interest.
Residents propose that the meadow instead be used for sports fields, golf courses, or parks, arguing that “multi-story buildings would turn Seki into a concrete jungle.” They suggest that TOKİ use other state-owned lands in the area for housing development.
Kaçar reiterated: “Our meadow is the heart of Seki. It must remain open, green, and public. We are calling on all Seki residents to join us in protecting it.”
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/seki-halki-cayirina-sahip-cikiyor-cayira-toki-konutlari-istemiyoruz
Irish Wingsuit Pilot Soars Past Sümela Monastery in Stunning Aerial Display
Trabzon, Turkey – The dramatic cliffs of Trabzon’s Maçka district provided a breathtaking backdrop as Irish wingsuit pilot Michael Morann glided past the ancient Sümela Monastery, one of Turkey’s most iconic landmarks.
Perched 300 meters above the Altındere Valley, Sümela Monastery is a UNESCO Tentative World Heritage Site and a major destination for faith tourism. For the first time, it also became the setting for a wingsuit “bat flight,” with Morann reaching speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Launching from a paragliding platform, Morann captured his high-speed descent on an action camera before safely deploying his parachute to land in the valley below. His flight added Sümela to a growing list of extreme sports venues in Turkey, following his earlier wingsuit jump over Uzungöl, another popular tourism hub in the region.
Wingsuit flying, often called “batman flight,” uses a specialized suit with fabric stretched between the arms and legs to slow free fall and allow pilots to glide through the air before opening a parachute.
With the monastery clinging to the mountainside and Morann slicing through the skies above, the flight offered a dramatically new perspective on one of Turkey’s most breathtaking heritage sites. Turkey has increasingly hosted high-profile extreme performances in recent years, including a daring tightrope walk across the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey Withdraws Döner Kebab Bid in the European Union
Istanbul, Turkey – Turkey has officially withdrawn its bid to have döner kebab recognized as a “traditional specialty guaranteed” within the European Union, ending a years-long culinary dispute.
The Istanbul-based International Döner Federation (UDOFED) had submitted the application to ensure that döner sold across the EU would be prepared exclusively in the Turkish style, following Turkey’s traditional recipes. Approval would have restricted the use of veal or turkey meat and required restaurants to adhere to Turkey’s specific preparation methods.
An EU Commission spokesperson confirmed that UDOFED officially withdrew the application on September 23, closing the registration process. No official reason was given, but EU insiders suggest the withdrawal may have been intended to avoid an imminent rejection.
Germany had led the opposition, citing the size and economic importance of the local döner sector. German politicians argued that local vendors and consumers should decide how döner is prepared and eaten. Media reports noted that approval of Turkey’s bid could have restricted or banned the standard German-style döner — often served with yogurt-based sauces, fresh vegetables, or wrapped in flatbread — potentially affecting up to 60,000 jobs.
According to UDOFED consultant Huriye Özener, Turkey’s intention was never to harm foreign markets. The application aimed to preserve the traditional preparation and cultural roots of Turkish döner while ensuring recognition that the dish originates from Turkey.
The European Turkish Döner Producers Association estimates that around 400 tons of döner are produced daily across Europe, generating roughly €2.4 billion annually in Germany and €3.5 billion across the continent.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.
Fethiyespor Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Private Lokman Hekim Esnaf Hospital
Fethiyespor has signed a new sponsorship agreement with Private Lokman Hekim Esnaf Hospital, continuing the hospital’s support for the club.
The signing ceremony was held at the club building and attended by Club President Esat Bakırcı, Football Branch Manager Uğur Keskin, board members Fahri Kıvanç Yılmaz, Harun Reşit Yiğit, Ramazan Göktepe, Selahattin Aydemir, Mehmet Soydemir, President of the Chamber of Craftsmen, and Dr. Öztürk Günal, Chief Physician of the Hospital.
President Esat Bakırcı noted the hospital’s ongoing support and its contributions to the development of the club’s youth and infrastructure.
Mehmet Soydemir highlighted that supporting Fethiyespor aligns with broader efforts to provide infrastructure for youth activities in Fethiye.
The sponsorship agreement reinforces the hospital’s role in supporting the club’s programs and community initiatives.
Fethiyespor Draws Dersimspor in 3rd Round of 2025–2026 Ziraat Turkish Cup
Fethiyespor has been drawn against Dersimspor in the 3rd Elimination Round of the 2025–2026 Ziraat Turkish Cup. The matches will be played away on October 28, 29, and 30, following a single-elimination format. The club will now prepare for this next stage of the tournament, aiming to advance further in the national competition.
Match Result:
Fethiyespor won their home match against Yeni Mersin İy on Sunday 28th September, with a final score of 2-0. Following recent matches, Fethiyespor moves up to 11th place in the league tables.
League Match
Fethiyespor will play their next match away against Arnavutköy Bld on Sunday October 5, with kick-off scheduled for 15:30.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 55.38 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.75 TL.
The US Dollar bought 41.32 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 41.37 TL.
The Euro bought 48.35 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 48.60 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
