Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
25th International Ölüdeniz Air Games Festival Opens in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The opening ceremony of the 25th International Ölüdeniz Air Games Festival took place in Fethiye, marking the start of one of Turkey’s most anticipated aerial events. Nearly 400 paragliders from 33 countries participated on the first day of the festival, which drew large crowds to Belcekız Beach.
Among those attending were Fethiye District Governor Fatih Akkaya, Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, Turkish Aeronautical Association Vice President Dr. Abdullah Şengönül, FTSO President Osman Çıralı, FESOB President Mehmet Soydemir, FETOB President Bülent Uysal, CHP Fethiye District Chairman Mustafa Koyuncu, former Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Osman Gürün, as well as former members of parliament, municipal council members, NGO representatives, chamber presidents, neighborhood representatives, and numerous citizens.
Flights were canceled on the first day due to adverse weather conditions. However, the following days of the festival will feature a dynamic lineup including Batman and low-altitude freestyle jumps, high-speed mini-paragliding demonstrations, performances by the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s paramotor team, and hot air balloon displays.
FTSO President Osman Çıralı highlighted the event’s significance for regional tourism, saying, “We dreamed of these days when we participated in the Babadağ Cable Car tender in 2011. Babadağ has now become an air sports center where the world meets. As of 2024, 173,222 flights have been made in 10 months, compared to 167,000 last year — a 3 percent increase. If price stability is achieved, our region and companies will benefit even more.”
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca emphasized the event’s longevity and importance, stating, “We have been organizing this festival for 25 years. We thank the Turkish Aeronautical Association and all the athletes from home and abroad. I also thank everyone who pioneered its inception. Except during the pandemic, this event has continued without interruption and has become one of Fethiye’s most valuable brands.”
District Governor Fatih Akkaya underlined the dedication behind the event’s long-running success, saying, “It’s hard to make this event one year, but it’s even harder to make it 25. The same goes for the centennial celebration. It’s an honor for all of us to keep this culture alive in a city like Fethiye, which stands on a civilization built on thousands of years.”
The five-day festival will continue to transform the skies of Ölüdeniz into a visual spectacle, with acrobatic performances, colorful flights, and breathtaking aerial displays by local and international athletes.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/25-uluslararasi-oludeniz-hava-oyunlari-festivali-coskuyla-basladi
“Disaster Preparedness” Booth Raises Awareness in Beşkaza Square
Fethiye, MUĞLA – As part of the Days to Combat Climate Change events, an information booth titled “Disaster Preparedness” was set up in Beşkaza Square to raise public awareness about disaster prevention.
Teams provided citizens with detailed information on disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures, emphasising the importance of being ready for potential emergencies. The activity aimed to increase community resilience and encourage proactive steps in combating the impacts of climate change.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
JAK and UMKE Teams Mobilized for Person Who Fell on Lycian Way in Fethiye
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A hiker who fell and dislocated his shoulder while trekking along the Lycian Way in Fethiye was rescued after being trapped in the area.
The incident occurred around 8:00 PM when F.E., hiking near the Faralya neighbourhood, lost his balance and fell. Unable to move or call for help on his own, he contacted the 112 Emergency Call Center for assistance.
Upon notification, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) and National Medical Rescue (UMKE) teams were dispatched to the scene. The teams carried out a rescue operation in challenging terrain, successfully reaching and transporting the injured hiker to a safe location.
F.E. received first aid at the scene before being transferred to the hospital by paramedics for further treatment.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-likya-yolunda-dusen-sahis-icin-jak-ve-umke-ekipleri-seferber-oldu
Muğla Welcomes 3,037,000 Foreign Tourists in 9 Months
Muğla, TURKEY – Muğla, Turkey’s third most visited province after Istanbul and Antalya, welcomed 3,037,464 foreign tourists in the first nine months of 2025. According to data from the Muğla Directorate of Culture and Tourism, this figure represents a 6 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, when 3,239,853 visitors arrived.
British tourists once again topped the list of international visitors, accounting for 42 percent of all foreign arrivals. Between January and September, 1,264,595 tourists from the United Kingdom visited the province. They were followed by visitors from the Russian Federation (358,430), Poland (274,709), Germany (195,400), and the Netherlands (79,116).
Muğla, which has two international airports—Dalaman and Milas-Bodrum—saw 2,492,039 tourists arrive by air during the first nine months of the year. Dalaman Airport received 1,638,338 foreign arrivals, while Milas-Bodrum Airport welcomed 853,701. An additional 545,425 foreign visitors entered through sea border crossings in Marmaris, Fethiye, Bodrum, Datça, and Milas.
Home to world-renowned destinations such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Datça, Muğla continues to attract visitors with its sea, sand, and sun tourism, complemented by a wealth of cultural and historical attractions. The province boasts 108 registered archaeological sites, making it one of Turkey’s leading regions for cultural tourism.
In recent years, Muğla has also become a hub for sports tourism, hosting key stages of major international events, including the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey. Despite the slight decline in visitor numbers, Muğla remains one of Turkey’s most vibrant and diverse tourism destinations, drawing millions each year with its natural beauty, coastal charm, and rich heritage.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/mugla-9-ayda-3-milyon-37-bin-yabanci-turisti-agirladi
Two Scenes in Bodrum on the Same Day: Floods and Seaside Fun
Bodrum, MUĞLA – Bodrum witnessed two contrasting scenes on the same day as torrential rain that began overnight caused flooding in several neighborhoods, while just hours later, tourists were enjoying the sunshine and swimming in the sea.
Heavy rainfall on the Gümüşlük–Koyunbaba road left some vehicles stranded and caused difficult driving conditions. Accumulated water in low-lying areas temporarily brought traffic to a standstill, while roads along the Akyarlar–Turgutreis route were covered with stones and debris carried by the runoff.
Bodrum Municipality teams, dispatched to the affected areas early in the morning, began cleaning and drainage operations at first light. Thanks to their quick intervention, several blocked roads were reopened to traffic within a short time.
As the rain cleared, the district’s weather changed dramatically. Along Kumbahçe Beach, the brief return of sunshine created colorful and lively scenes. Some foreign tourists swam in the sea after the rain, while others relaxed and sunbathed on the beach, making the most of the warm spell between showers.
According to meteorological data, rainfall is expected to continue intermittently throughout the week, keeping Bodrum residents and visitors alert to changing weather conditions.
Turkey Launches Massive Green Homeland Mobilization Ahead of National Forestation Day
Turkey is preparing for one of its largest environmental campaigns as National Forestation Day approaches on November 11. The Green Homeland Mobilization, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, aims to plant 550 million saplings and seeds within a year, engaging citizens from all 81 provinces.
President Erdoğan invited all citizens to adopt saplings via the official website and take part in planting events nationwide. He described the initiative as “a chance to heal the wounds caused by forest fires and leave a lush green legacy for our children.”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that on November 11, people of all ages — from 7 to 77 — will participate in planting activities across 81 provinces and 922 districts. He emphasized that forests play a vital role in combating climate change and securing a livable world for future generations.
Over the past 23 years, Turkey has planted more than 7.5 billion saplings, expanding forested areas to 23.4 million hectares — about 30% of the country’s land — placing it among the world’s top four nations for afforestation.
Yumaklı reaffirmed that burned forest areas will not be opened for construction, citing constitutional protections, and highlighted the establishment of memorial forests to honor wildfire heroes, earthquake victims, and Gaza’s innocent civilians.
The mobilization also features partnerships such as the “1 Blood Donation, 3 Saplings” campaign with the Turkish Red Crescent and collaborations with national sports federations to promote tree planting across the country.
Citizens can join the initiative through the Geleceğe Nefes website or mobile app to adopt saplings, track planting progress, and receive participation certificates.
Since its launch in 2019 under the theme “Breath for the Future,” National Forestation Day has united millions of volunteers, students, and NGOs, reinforcing Turkey’s commitment to sustainability and climate action.
Source: Daily Sabah
Torrential Rain and Strong Winds Trigger Landslide and Flooding Across Southern Turkey
Hatay, TURKEY – A fierce spell of rain accompanied by strong winds swept across southern Turkey, triggering a landslide in Hatay that blocked a major highway, stranded vehicles, and caused hours-long traffic disruptions.
The heavy downpour, which intensified in the early hours of October 20, led to widespread flooding in İskenderun and Payas, submerging homes, businesses, and streets. Emergency response teams were deployed with fire trucks and construction machinery to rescue stranded drivers and clear debris, while local residents assisted in freeing vehicles stuck on flooded roads.
In Payas, schools were closed for the day, and a group of students trapped on a school bus were safely rescued with the help of a backhoe. The Transport and Infrastructure Ministry announced that traffic between Payas and Dörtyol was diverted to a single lane under controlled conditions to ensure safety.
Cleanup operations continued as a jeep and a truck were trapped by mud and rocks that had slid from higher ground. In one flooded neighborhood, rescue teams reached stranded residents by boat, evacuating them to safety.
Meanwhile, a waterspout was spotted off the coast of İskenderun during the storm, briefly swirling over the sea before dissipating — adding to the dramatic scenes caused by the severe weather.
As Hatay continues to grapple with flood damage, much of Turkey is bracing for a sharp change in weather, marking the start of a colder, winter-like week. The Turkish State Meteorological Service has forecast widespread rainfall across the Aegean, Central Anatolia, and eastern regions, with sleet and snowfall expected in the higher elevations of the eastern Black Sea and northeastern Anatolia.
Strong downpours are likely along the eastern Black Sea coast, while morning fog and low visibility are expected in parts of the Marmara and northern Aegean regions. Temperatures are forecast to drop below seasonal norms in northern and central Turkey, while remaining closer to average across the country’s southern provinces.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
