Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Fethiye Municipality Teams Mobilised After Severe Storm
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Following heavy rainfall and a powerful storm, Fethiye Municipality teams have been working continuously since last night to tackle the effects of the extreme weather.
All municipal units remain on the ground, deploying every available resource to mitigate damage, clear affected areas and restore normal conditions as quickly as possible. Crews are focused on ensuring public safety, reopening roads and returning essential services to full operation.
Municipal officials thanked their teams for their dedication and tireless work, while extending their best wishes to residents affected by the storm.
Source: Fethiye Belediye
District Teams Assess Greenhouse and Farm Losses After Severe Weather
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Excessive rainfall and stormy weather have caused widespread damage in the Karaçulha, Çamköy and Eldirek neighbourhoods of Fethiye, where covered cultivation is heavily concentrated.
The severe weather, which included intense rain and tornado-like winds, hit the area last night, damaging numerous greenhouses and barn roofs used for agricultural production. As a result, teams from the Fethiye District Agricultural and Forestry Directorate have begun on-site inspections to determine the full extent of the losses.
Technical personnel are currently carrying out detailed field investigations across the affected areas. Officials said that damage assessment work will continue without interruption as long as weather conditions allow.
In a statement, the District Agricultural and Forestry Directorate expressed its condolences to all farmers impacted by the disaster and confirmed that findings from the assessments will be used to guide further support and recovery efforts.
Flooding on Antalya–Fethiye Highway Prompts Traffic Controls and Emergency Road Works
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Traffic on the Antalya–Fethiye Highway was brought under temporary control after flooding caused by heavy rainfall led to water accumulation on a section of the road.
Following the intense downpour, the water level at the Eşen 1 Dam reservoir rose significantly, resulting in runoff reaching the highway at one point and creating hazardous driving conditions.
After the situation was reported, teams from the Fethiye Regional Traffic Station and the General Directorate of Highways were dispatched to the scene. Police units implemented safety measures, while General Directorate of Highways crews removed steel roadside barriers and began road-widening and drainage works to allow the water to disperse more effectively.
Traffic is currently being managed through a single lane, with the aim of restoring full two-way flow once the works are completed. Teams remain on duty in the area to ensure the safety of motorists and to monitor conditions.
Meanwhile, the affected section of the highway was recorded from the air using a drone, providing a clear view of the extent of the flooding and the ongoing response efforts.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/antalya-fethiye-karayolunda-su-baskini-ulasim-kontrollu-saglandi
Fethiye’s “Ancient Pedal” Project Draws Attention in Europe
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality has successfully represented the town at one of Europe’s most prestigious outdoor tourism events, held in Utrecht, Netherlands, widely regarded as the world’s largest cycling and walking fair, which welcomed more than 26,000 visitors.
The municipality attracted strong international interest, particularly for its “Ancient Pedal” project, which has been developed over the past two years to promote Fethiye’s extensive cycling network and its world-famous walking routes. Fethiye Municipality was one of only two municipalities featured at the Turkish Tourism Development Agency (TGA) stand, where it showcased the region’s routes through brochures, booklets and promotional films.
Representing Fethiye Municipality at the fair, Ahmet Fevzi Özlen said the region’s natural and historical heritage was presented in the best possible way. He noted that Fethiye’s cycling routes and the Lycian Way were highlighted through continuous video screenings, while 360-degree footage was also uploaded to VR headsets, allowing visitors to virtually cycle through the area. This interactive experience proved to be one of the most striking elements of the stand and attracted considerable attention from participants.
Visitors were able to experience the routes as if they were physically riding through Fethiye, giving them a vivid impression of the region’s landscapes and cultural richness.
Özlen also expressed his thanks to Deniz Harmankaya, Marketing Specialist at TGA Sports, and Pınar Bilgen Ermiş, Cultural Tourism Promotion Advisor at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, for their support throughout the event, underlining the importance of such international fairs in strengthening Fethiye’s tourism presence in Europe and beyond.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyenin-antik-pedal-projesi-avrupada-tanitildi
Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey set to return for 61st edition
Ankara, TURKEY – The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey is set to return for its 61st edition in 2026 under the theme “From Tradition to the Future,” taking riders on an eight-day journey from Çeşme to Ankara.
The prestigious international race will start in İzmir-Çeşme on Sunday, April 26, 2026, and conclude with a grand finale in Ankara on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Over the course of eight stages, the peloton will cover a total distance of 1,201 kilometres, passing through some of Turkey’s most scenic coastal and inland landscapes.
Route and Stages
- Stage 1 – April 26, 2026: Çeşme – Aydın | 203.1 km
- Stage 2 – April 27, 2026: Aydın – Marmaris | 158.0 km
- Stage 3 – April 28, 2026: Marmaris – Kıran | 129.2 km
- Stage 4 – April 29, 2026: Marmaris – Fethiye | 128.0 km
- Stage 5 – April 30, 2026: Patara – Kemer | 196.7 km
- Stage 6 – May 1, 2026: Antalya – Feslikan | 130.0 km
- Stage 7 – May 2, 2026: Antalya – Antalya | 149.5 km
- Stage 8 – May 3, 2026: Ankara – Ankara | 105.1 km
The 2026 edition will once again bring together world-class teams and riders, showcasing Turkey’s diverse geography—from the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts to the capital’s iconic finish—while continuing the race’s long-standing tradition of blending elite sport with international promotion.
Sources: gzt.com/Beşkaza Haber Bülteni
Istanbul preserves Ottoman-era Ramadan drumming across city
Istanbul – Nearly 3,000 Ramadan drummers will take to the streets across Istanbul’s 961 neighbourhoods as the city prepares to welcome the holy month, continuing a centuries-old tradition rooted in the Ottoman era.
Selami Aykut, president of the Federation of All Istanbul Neighborhood Mukhtar Associations, said preparations have been completed, with local mukhtars coordinating schedules and traditional verses for the sahur rounds. He stressed that the practice is not only about waking residents for the pre-dawn meal, but also about preserving Istanbul’s spiritual and cultural atmosphere and passing it on to younger generations.
Most of the drummers come from families who have carried out the role for generations, reinforcing continuity and local identity. Aykut also highlighted that only officially registered drummers, carrying identification badges, are permitted, and that tipping is voluntary, as the activity is regarded as a cultural service rather than a commercial one.
Veteran drummers such as Isa Buldu and Musa Bulur said preparations, costumes and verses are ready, noting that strong relationships with local residents help keep the tradition alive. The Ramadan drumming custom, once a vital public service before modern timekeeping, remains an important symbol of community life and shared heritage in Istanbul.
Source: Daily Sabah
Two Miners Killed in Coal Mine Collapse in Zonguldak
Zonguldak, BLACK SEA – Two miners were killed and one was injured after a collapse at a privately operated coal mine in Gelik town in the Black Sea province of Zonguldak on February 16.
The cave-in occurred while three workers were carrying out maintenance and cleaning work in a ventilation shaft for reasons that have yet to be determined. Following the incident, emergency teams were dispatched to the site after colleagues raised the alarm.
İsmet Kabuk, 31, was pulled from the rubble injured and taken to Zonguldak Atatürk State Hospital, where he was treated and later discharged. The bodies of Veysel Oruçoğlu, 46, and Ziya Kiret, 60, were recovered after rescue efforts lasting seven and nine hours respectively.
Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu said the mine was licensed and operating legally, and confirmed that a judicial investigation had been launched. The Justice Ministry announced that two prosecutors and a panel of mining engineers have been appointed to examine the cause of the collapse.
Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan also stated that the Social Security Institution has assigned a chief inspector to carry out a separate investigation into the incident.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
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