Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Cyclists Ride to Fethiye Courthouse in Memory of İlker Muallim and Özgür Alkan
FETHİYE / MUĞLA —Cyclists from across Turkey gathered in Fethiye to honour İlker Muallim and Özgür Alkan, who lost their lives in April after being struck by a vehicle while cycling on the Göcek road. The memorial ride, joined by members of parliament, the district chair, and local citizens, concluded at the Fethiye Courthouse, where the case was due to be heard.
The event aimed not only to pay tribute to the two friends but also to raise awareness about road safety for cyclists. Participants emphasised that roads belong to everyone, not just motor vehicles, and called for the legal designation of the right-hand lane exclusively for cyclists to improve safety and prevent future tragedies.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Fethiye Musical Nights Delight Crowds at Bahriye Üçok Park
FETHİYE / MUĞLA —The Fethiye Musical Nights series continued this week, delighting audiences with another evening of live music. Adem Kazan and the City Orchestra took to the stage at Bahriye Üçok Park, delivering a memorable performance that captivated residents and visitors alike.
The Fethiye Musical Nights programme will continue at various locations throughout the summer, offering a range of musical experiences for the community.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Passenger Panic Causes Paragliding Crash on Babadağ
FETHİYE / MUĞLA —A paragliding pilot and his passenger were injured in a dramatic accident on Babadağ after a spare parachute was deployed mid-flight.
Paraglider E.A. had taken off from the 1,900-metre runway with a German tourist when, shortly after launch, the passenger panicked and activated his spare parachute. The sudden deployment caused the paraglider to veer off course and crash into steep cliffs.
The pair were stranded on the rocky slope until Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) teams reached them in a challenging five-hour operation. They were eventually brought to safety and transported by ambulance to hospital.
Both are reported to be in stable condition and their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Source: Fethiye TV
MP Yakup Otgöz Announces Major Investments for Fethiye and Seydikemer
FETHİYE / MUĞLA —AK Party Muğla MP Yakup Otgöz has announced a series of significant infrastructure, health, and sports investments for Fethiye, Seydikemer, and surrounding districts.
Otgöz confirmed that the planned 500-bed Fethiye State Hospital has been included in the government’s investment programme. The site selection and project tender have been completed, paving the way for construction to begin.
In sports facilities, the Fethiye Stadium project is ready, with feasibility studies currently under way. Funding has also been secured for the Seydikemer Youth Centre, where project design work has already started.
On the transportation front, work has accelerated on the Seydikemer–Kalkan and Seydikemer–Söğüt divided highways. The Muğla–Kale and Yalıkavak roads are expected to be completed in 2025, followed by the Seydikemer–Kalkan and Didim–Milas roads in 2026, and the Söğüt–Seydikemer road in 2027. Otgöz also announced that work will begin on the Karabel Tunnel.
In energy infrastructure, natural gas has already been supplied to Menteşe, Milas, Yatağan, and Kavaklıdere. Signatures have been finalised for the supply of natural gas to Fethiye, Seydikemer, Ortaca, Dalaman, and Marmaris, with expropriation works now under way.
Otgöz stated that these projects aim to boost the region’s healthcare capacity, sports infrastructure, road safety, and energy access, contributing to long-term development.
Source: Fethiye TV
A Cool Surprise for Nif!
NİF, FETHİYE / MUĞLA —After days of scorching heat, the Nif neighbourhood was treated to an unexpected change today – rain! Showers began overnight, bringing a refreshing break from the sweltering August weather.
Residents welcomed the cooler air, enjoying the soothing sound of raindrops on rooftops instead of the usual hum of fans and air conditioners. While the surrounding areas stayed dry, Nif enjoyed its own little slice of summer magic.
Source: Fethiye TV
Mountains of Garbage Form in Kemalpaşa, İzmir, Sparking Pollution Concerns
KEMALPAŞA, İZMİR – The Kemalpaşa district of İzmir is grappling with growing environmental and health concerns as large piles of household waste have been dumped on a vacant lot, forming a mountain of garbage. Aerial footage captured the alarming scale of the accumulation.
The waste, collected by the municipality, was deposited on this vacant land because the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has been unable to transport it to designated disposal sites.
Local residents have complained about increasing foul odors and fly infestations as the hot weather worsens, intensifying concerns over pollution and public health risks.
Kemalpaşa Mayor Mehmet Türkmen commented, “There is no possibility of garbage accumulation in our district. The current delay is due to the garbage transfer vehicles being moved to a more distant location.”
Despite official statements, the aerial images reveal a significant heap of garbage, underlining the urgent need for action.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/izmir-de-copten-siradaglari/104723/
Colorful hot air balloons fill Cappadocia skies at Nevşehir festival
The Nevşehir Culture Route Festival is currently captivating visitors in Cappadocia, Turkey, with a rich programme of nearly 400 events. A standout highlight has been the International Balloon Festival, held from August 7 to 10, which brought together 38 hot air balloons from 27 countries. Each morning, the balloons launched from the town of Göreme, soaring above the region’s famous fairy chimneys and unique rock formations, creating a spectacular visual display that drew awe from both local and international tourists.
Festival organizer Halis Aydoğan emphasized that balloon flights are possible around 250 days a year in Cappadocia, noting this was the sixth edition of the festival. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its ongoing support, highlighting the growing international interest in the event.
Nevşehir Governor Ali Fidan spoke about Cappadocia’s prominence in the global balloon tourism industry, sharing impressive statistics: in 2023, approximately 770,000 people took balloon rides, and in the first seven months of 2024, passenger numbers increased by 10% with flights up 4%. He projected record-breaking numbers by the end of 2025 and encouraged visitors to experience the region’s breathtaking landscape from the air.
Participants and spectators shared their enthusiasm, including Polish pilot Le Andreo, who was flying a uniquely shaped balloon for the second time that year, and festival attendee Serkan Genç, who praised the beautiful atmosphere of the event.
The Nevşehir Culture Route Festival continues through August 10, offering concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, talks, workshops, and more, further enriching the cultural experience in this historic region.
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor Nears End of League Preparations at Kartepe Camp
Fethiyespor is in the final stages of its league preparations at the Kocaeli Kartepe training camp. The team recently won a friendly match against Kütahyaspor 4-3, with goals from Mehmet Kaan Türkmen (2) and Samet Asatekin (2).
Under manager Selahaddin Dinçel, Fethiyespor has been training twice daily and reports strong fitness and performance levels. New signing Selim Kemence’s birthday was celebrated at the camp, highlighting team unity.
Dinçel said the team is physically ready and working to finalise the starting lineup. He thanked chairman Esat Bakırcı and the board for organising the camp and said the team aims to start the league with a win in their first away match against Ankara Demirspor. The kick-off is at 16:30.
Dinçel also called on fans to increase their support this season.
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 54.86 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 53.97 TL.
The US Dollar bought 40.79 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 40.63 TL.
The Euro bought 47.51 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 46.65 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
