Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Fethiye Beach Death Victim Identified as Local Teacher
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The identity of a man found dead on a beach in Fethiye Bay on Saturday morning has been confirmed as investigations into the incident continue.
Emergency services were alerted at around 09:00 after members of the public noticed a person lying motionless on the shore. Police and medical teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, where paramedics confirmed the individual had died. Officers then secured the area while crime scene investigators carried out initial examinations.
Authorities have now identified the deceased as Yaşar Kılıçarslan (45), a Religious Culture and Ethics teacher born in Fethiye.
It was reported that Kılıçarslan worked at Şehit Ahmet Ali Yanatma Middle School in the Çalıca neighbourhood. Married and a father of one, his death has caused deep sorrow within the local education community.
Officials stated that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing and being conducted comprehensively.
Metropolitan Municipality Expands Environmental Efforts with Beach Cleaning Campaign
Dalaman, MUĞLA – The Metropolitan Municipality has launched its latest environmental initiative with the fifth beach cleaning campaign held at Kayacık Beach in the Dalaman district.
Organised by the Metropolitan Municipality’s Environmental Protection and Control Department, the event brought together Dalaman Mayor Sezer Durmuş, municipal teams, local civil society organisations, and numerous residents. With strong community participation, volunteers worked along the coastline to collect waste and highlight the importance of protecting natural environments.
The campaign, carried out in cooperation with municipal teams and volunteers, not only helped restore the beach but also aimed to raise awareness about environmental pollution and sustainability. Officials confirmed that similar initiatives will continue across different locations throughout the province.
Mayor Ahmet Aras, who also serves as President of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union, stressed that protecting nature is a shared responsibility. He said the campaign represents a broader movement to strengthen environmental awareness across society.
“By working hand in hand with volunteers, civil society organisations, and our municipal teams, we are protecting our natural heritage,” Aras said. “We are also expanding our marine cleaning operations by increasing our waste collection fleet from seven to twelve boats, enabling us to safeguard our seas more effectively.”
He added that the municipality remains committed to building a cleaner, more sustainable Muğla and will continue its efforts to protect the region’s unique coastline for future generations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/mugla-buyuksehirden-sahillerde-temizlik-seferberligi
Muğla to Celebrate April 23 with Colourful Children’s Festival and Creative Workshops
Muğla, Turkey – A vibrant programme of events is set to take place in Muğla to mark National Sovereignty and Children’s Day on April 23, with a special socio-cultural festival area offering a wide range of activities for children.
Celebrations will begin ahead of the national holiday, with an exhibition of children’s artwork opening on April 21 at the Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center. The exhibition will showcase creative works by young participants and set the tone for several days of festivities.
The programme will continue with colourful and engaging events designed to entertain and inspire children, before concluding on April 24 with a hands-on workshop titled “I Am the Master of My Life,” where children will design and create their own pencil cases.
Ahmet Aras, President of the Aegean Coastal Municipalities Union and Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, highlighted the significance of the occasion, noting that the holiday—gifted to children by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—is unique in the world.
“April 23 is a very special day when the will of the nation was manifested, and the unconditional sovereignty of the nation was declared,” Aras said. “Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s gift of this meaningful day to children is the strongest indication of his confidence in the future.”
He added that the municipality remains committed to ensuring all children, from rural areas to urban centres, can fully enjoy the celebrations.
“Our greatest priority is for all our children to experience the joy of the holiday. The happiness on their faces is our greatest motivation,” he said, extending his congratulations to children across the country.
The planned events aim to combine creativity, learning and celebration, reinforcing the spirit of a day that places children at the heart of the nation’s future.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/cocuklarin-bayrami-senlige-donusecek
Teams In Muğla Hunt Water Leaks as Drought Pressures Grow
Muğla, MUĞLA – As drought and climate change continue to strain water resources, teams in Muğla are working around the clock—not in search of gold, but to locate and recover every possible drop of water.
The Muğla Water and Sewerage Administration (MUSKİ) has intensified efforts across the province, particularly as popular tourism areas such as Bodrum face increasing water shortages. With Muğla welcoming around 10 million visitors annually, including 3.5 million international tourists, pressure on water supplies has significantly increased in recent years.
Using advanced acoustic listening devices, MUSKİ teams are able to detect leaks and bursts in underground water supply lines—even when water does not reach the surface. Working 24/7, specialised crews patrol neighbourhoods street by street, listening for subtle sound signals that indicate hidden leaks.
Görkem Kocabıyık, Head of the Water Losses and Pressure Management Branch at MUSKİ, said the teams identify around 2,500 faults each year across 13 districts, scanning more than 2,000 kilometres of pipeline. “Water is now worth its weight in gold for us,” Kocabıyık said. “We are doing everything we can to recover it. Thanks to these efforts, we save enough water annually to meet the needs of approximately 350,000 to 400,000 people.”
Kocabıyık explained that the process involves combining acoustic listening devices with flow meters and correlator systems. Areas with unusually high night-time water flow are closely monitored, allowing teams to pinpoint hidden leaks quickly. Once identified, repair crews are dispatched immediately to carry out excavation and repairs.
Officials emphasised that there are no fixed working hours for the teams, who respond to faults at any time of day or night. The municipality confirmed that efforts will continue as part of a broader strategy to conserve water and secure sustainable resources for the future.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/mugla-da-altin-degil-su-kacagi-ariyorlar/120344/?p=6
Turkey’s shortest ferry ride offers scenic passage in Muğla
Muğla, Turkey – Ferry services operating along a narrow canal in southwestern Turkey are dramatically reducing travel times between Köyceğiz and Ortaca, turning a road journey of up to two hours into a crossing that takes as little as 50 seconds.
In operation since 2016, the canal ferries provide a highly efficient link between the two banks, offering a practical solution to the area’s limited road infrastructure. Originally introduced to support daily transport for residents of Çandır neighbourhood and assist local agriculture, the service has since become a vital route for both locals and visitors.
Running from early morning until midnight, the ferries operate reciprocally between Dalyan and Çandır. Despite their small size, each vessel can carry up to four vehicles at a time, including cars, motorcycles, tractors and minibuses, as well as pedestrians.
The route has grown in importance, particularly during the busy summer season when tourism significantly increases traffic across the region. The ferry service helps ease congestion while maintaining a steady flow between key points in the area.
Set within a protected environmental zone, the crossing passes through a delicate ecosystem of reed beds, calm waterways and rich wildlife, including a wide variety of bird species. The surrounding Dalyan Delta is internationally recognised for its natural beauty and ecological significance.
While the journey itself lasts barely a minute, it offers passengers not only a major time-saving benefit but also a unique opportunity to experience one of Turkey’s most scenic and environmentally important landscapes.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Rising Road Toll: Over 560 Lives Lost in Turkey Traffic Accidents in Early 2026
Turkey – A total of 168,533 traffic accidents were recorded across Turkey in the first three months of 2026, resulting in 561 deaths and 87,695 injuries, according to official data from security authorities.
Figures released by the General Directorate of Security and the Gendarmerie General Command show that accidents occurred nationwide between January and March, covering both police and gendarmerie jurisdictions.
In police-controlled areas, 157,195 accidents were reported, with the majority—136,543—taking place within residential zones. Meanwhile, gendarmerie-controlled regions saw 11,338 accidents, including 3,049 in residential areas.
Of all incidents recorded during the first quarter, 475 were classified as fatal accidents, 60,167 resulted in injuries, and 107,891 caused material damage only.
A total of 561 people lost their lives—420 in police jurisdictions and 141 in gendarmerie areas. The number of injured reached 87,695, including 78,313 in police areas and 9,382 under gendarmerie responsibility.
Authorities identified driver-related errors as the leading cause of accidents. Common issues included failing to adjust speed to road, weather and traffic conditions, not yielding at intersections, and poor lane discipline.
Provincial data revealed that Istanbul recorded the highest number of accidents, with 27,181 cases. It was followed by Ankara with 25,435 and Izmir with 10,653.
At the other end of the scale, Bayburt reported the fewest accidents with just 77 cases. It was followed by Kilis with 128 and Ardahan with 130.
The figures highlight ongoing concerns over road safety in Turkey, particularly in urban areas where traffic density remains high.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Result
Fethiyespor drew their last home game of the season against Muş Spor, on Sunday The final score was 1-1.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor remains at 12th place in the league table.
League Matches
Fethiyespor will play the final game of the season away against Mardin 1969 Spor on Saturday 25 April, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 60.64 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 60.09 TL.
The US Dollar bought 44.84 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.66 TL.
The Euro bought 52.79 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 52.39 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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