Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 18th October 2026

Istanbul’s worst floods in 80 years leave 4 dead

Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.

Curated from various news sources.

NEWS

Fethiye Photography Exhibition Raises Awareness of Climate Change and Environmental Protection

Fethiye, Muğla – A photography exhibition titled “Let’s Not Lose It, Let’s Protect It” has opened at Fethiye Culture House as part of the Week of Action Against Climate Change, highlighting the importance of protecting the environment and raising awareness of climate-related issues.

The exhibition features photographs focusing on climate change and environmental challenges. Selver Hatice Kabak, Director of Climate Change and Zero Waste at Fethiye Municipality, said the municipality organises various activities each year to mark the Week of Action Against Climate Change, with this year’s programme including the photography exhibition.

A discussion on the effects of climate change in the region will also form part of the programme, focusing on environmental changes taking place in Fethiye. Participants are expected to include a representative from the TEMA Foundation, the President of the City Council and photographer Ömer Bey.

Kabak also announced that an event originally scheduled for the following day had been postponed to 31 October.

Further activities planned for the coming days include a diving event at sea, a cycling ride and initiatives designed to raise public awareness of climate change and environmental protection.

Thanking everyone involved in the programme, Kabak emphasised that efforts to increase awareness and encourage action against climate change would continue.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-kaybetmeyelim-koruyalim-fotograf-sergisi-acildi/


Fethiye Recreation Area Faces Renewed Littering Problem as Clean-Up Efforts Continue

Fethiye, Muğla – Littering at the Çırpı Recreation Area in the Esenköy neighbourhood has sparked renewed criticism, highlighting concerns over environmental awareness and public responsibility for keeping natural spaces clean.

The recreation area, a popular spot for visitors to relax, enjoy nature and spend time outdoors, has once again been left littered with rubbish, raising questions about public attitudes towards environmental protection.

While municipal cleaning teams continue to work hard to maintain the area, some visitors are undermining these efforts by leaving their waste behind rather than disposing of it properly.

The contrast between the crews working to keep the area clean and the rubbish left behind by visitors has prompted frustration among those concerned about the environment.

The situation has also revived a familiar criticism: “The municipality never tires of cleaning up, and citizens never tire of littering!”

The recurring problem serves as a reminder that maintaining clean public spaces is a shared responsibility, requiring not only the efforts of municipal teams but also greater consideration from residents and visitors.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/birileri-temizliyor-birileri-kirletiyor/


Fethiye’s İncirköy Neighbourhood Sees First-Ever Paving of Four Streets

Fethiye, Muğla – Four streets in the İncirköy neighbourhood of Fethiye have been paved for the first time, following requests from local residents.

The paving work was carried out on Battal Street, Cayraz Street, Kır Street and Beyköy Street, marking an improvement to the neighbourhood’s road infrastructure.

İncirköy Neighbourhood Headman (Muhtar) Ersoy Özdemir expressed his gratitude to Fethiye Municipality for completing the work in response to residents’ requests.

Speaking about the projects, Özdemir thanked Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, the Municipality’s Department of Public Works and Fethiye Municipality for their efforts in delivering the improvements.

On behalf of the İncirköy Neighbourhood Office, Özdemir expressed his appreciation for the work carried out and the support provided to the local community.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/incirkoyde-sokaklar-asfaltla-bulustu/


Istanbul’s worst floods in 80 years leave 4 dead

Istanbul, Turkey – Catastrophic flooding across Istanbul was described as the city’s worst in more than 80 years, as the death toll rose to four following torrential rainfall that inundated neighbourhoods, damaged businesses and swept vehicles through the streets.

Turkey’s largest city, home to approximately 16 million people, received more rain in the 48 hours leading up to Thursday morning than the combined historical average for September and October, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

The body of a 66-year-old man was discovered beneath a bridge in Istanbul’s Sarıyer district on Friday. Three other people had previously died, including a teenager who was electrocuted during the storm.

Floodwater covered roads, parks and residential areas, leaving homes and businesses damaged. Vehicles were swept away, with some ending up piled together at the bottom of hills.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi visited one of the worst-affected areas and described the flooding as the country’s most severe since 1942. Before the discovery of the man’s body, four people had been reported missing.

Authorities received 9,850 reports relating to flood damage and other incidents, while approximately 46,000 personnel were deployed to clear debris, assist residents and support recovery operations.

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum also visited the affected areas. He highlighted concerns about urban development near waterways and stressed the need to address the risks. He also linked the extreme rainfall to climate change, emphasising the importance of tackling its effects.

The flooding prompted renewed calls for improved urban drainage, better flood prevention measures and stronger preparation for increasingly severe weather events.

Sources: NBC News/Daily Sabah


Istanbul Begins Demolitions for Flood Prevention as Heavy Rain Continues

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Authorities began demolishing buildings along a streambed in Istanbul’s Ayazağa neighbourhood on October 17 to make way for flood prevention work, as further heavy rainfall caused flooding across the city’s Asian side.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül said 16 shops, a sports field, stands, a Quran school and adjoining accommodation were due to be demolished by October 18. The work was intended to allow the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration to carry out improvements along a 1,700-metre stretch of the stream.

Three people remained missing, including two Turkish nationals and a citizen of Turkmenistan. Search teams continued operations along streambeds and the Golden Horn using drones and sonar equipment.

In Ağva, the Yeşilçay Stream overflowed, flooding homes, businesses, roads and farmland. Two people were rescued from a stranded vehicle in Şile, while residents of an apartment building in Pendik were evacuated as a precaution following ground subsidence nearby.

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced orange weather alerts for 10 provinces and yellow alerts for 26 provinces for October 18.

Financial Support for Flood Victims

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced 80 million Turkish liras in cash support for tradespeople affected by the flooding.

Governor Gül said more than 5,000 people had received emergency payments of 10,000 liras each. Separate compensation for damaged belongings was scheduled to begin on October 19.

Schools were scheduled to reopen on October 19. Gül urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and call 112 if their homes were at risk of flooding, landslides or collapse.

The measures followed severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall on October 14. In Beykoz alone, approximately 320 homes and 20 businesses were flooded, according to the governor.

Source: Hürriyet Daily News


White Group Wins All 13 Committees in FTSO Elections

Fethiye, Muğla – The White Group, led by Kemal Hıra, has won all 13 professional committees in the Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FTSO) elections, defeating the Blue Group led by incumbent president Osman Çıralı.

The election took place at Atatürk Primary School in central Fethiye, attracting considerable interest from the business communities of Fethiye and Seydikemer. Following the close of voting and the counting of ballots, the White Group secured victories across all 13 professional groups.

Osman Çıralı acknowledged the results, stating that he respected the decision of chamber members. He expressed hope that the incoming administration would continue existing projects and support the development of agriculture, tourism and trade.

Kemal Hıra thanked his supporters and outlined plans to improve the chamber’s services, reach more members and respond to their needs. His priorities include improving tourism quality, extending the tourism season and increasing agricultural production efficiency.

Hıra also emphasised that the new administration would serve all chamber members equally, regardless of their affiliation during the election campaign.

With the White Group securing all 13 committees, attention now turns to the election of the FTSO’s new board of directors and assembly by the newly elected committee members.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/ftsoda-13-komitenin-tamamini-beyaz-grup-kazandi/


Turkey Plans Electronic Age Verification to Prevent Underage Tobacco Sales

Turkey’s Health Ministry is planning to introduce an electronic age verification system to prevent children and young people from purchasing tobacco products.

The proposed Electronic Sales and Age Verification System aims to strengthen existing restrictions, which prohibit tobacco sales to anyone under 18. Authorities say relying on individual retailers to check customers’ identification has not been sufficient to prevent underage access.

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 73.3% of students aged 13–15 who smoke reported that they could easily buy cigarettes from supermarkets or small grocery shops. In Turkey, 57.5% of tobacco users began smoking at the age of 18 or younger.

The figures also highlight concerns about tobacco use among young women. Between 2012 and 2025, tobacco use among women aged 15–24 reportedly increased by 107%.

The proposed electronic verification system follows approaches already used in countries including Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States, Austria, Italy and France.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts to protect young people from tobacco use, with authorities highlighting the importance of stronger age checks and measures to prevent access to tobacco products.

Source: Daily Sabah


SPORT

Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.

Ziraat Turkish Cup

Fethiyespor’s third-round fixture in the Ziraat Turkish Cup has been confirmed.

The team will host Eyüpspor on Wednesday, 28 October, with kick-off scheduled for 15:30 at Fethiye District Stadium.

Ziraat Cup

Match Results

Fethiyespor drew their home game against Ankaragücü on Saturday. The final score was 2-2.

Fethiyespor

Fethiyespor move up to 12th position in the league table.

Fethiyespor

League Matches

Fethiyespor will play away against Trabzonspor on Sunday 1 November. Kick-off time is 13:00

Fethiyespor

www. fethiyespor.org

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Buy Maps

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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates

The British Pound bought 66.00 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 65.19 TL.

The US Dollar bought 49.51 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 49.26 TL.

The Euro bought 55.65 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.28 TL.

Source: exchangerates.org.uk


Weather Forecast

Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.

Source: Living Earth


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