Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Holiday Rush Brought Traffic Gridlock to Ölüdeniz
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – Heavy holiday traffic brought parts of Ölüdeniz to a standstill during the Eid al-Adha holiday as thousands of domestic and international visitors travelled to the popular resort destination.
On the second day of the holiday, large numbers of tourists headed to Ölüdeniz from the early morning hours, causing severe congestion on the main road leading to the resort. An estimated 5-kilometre traffic jam developed, with vehicles moving slowly and at times coming to a complete halt.
Frustrated by the lengthy delays, some holidaymakers parked their vehicles along the roadside and continued their journey on foot in an effort to reach Kumburnu and Belcekız beaches.
Traffic police were deployed throughout the area to manage the flow of vehicles and ease congestion. Drivers faced particularly difficult conditions during the hottest part of the day as temperatures rose and queues lengthened.
The holiday influx was also reflected across the resort, with many beaches, hotels and local businesses operating at or near full capacity.
The scenes highlighted the continuing popularity of Ölüdeniz, one of Turkey’s best-known tourism destinations, as visitors made the most of the Eid al-Adha holiday break.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-bayram-yogunlugu-suruyor
Restrictions on Sitting Near Sun Loungers Draw Mixed Reactions from Visitors and Businesses
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – A warning sign displayed at the entrance to Çalış Beach has sparked discussion among visitors after it stated that sitting on the sand or placing towels near sun loungers and umbrellas is prohibited.
The sign, located at one of Fethiye’s most popular beaches, reads: “Sitting on the sand or laying towels near sun loungers and umbrellas is prohibited.”
Although access to Çalış Beach remains free of charge, the restriction on using areas surrounding sun loungers and umbrellas operated by beach businesses has attracted criticism from some holidaymakers. Several visitors argued that the measure limits the public’s ability to freely use sections of the beach.
The issue has prompted debate over the balance between public access and the commercial use of beachfront areas during the busy summer season.
Some business owners defended the practice, stating that the areas around sun loungers and umbrellas are organised for paying customers and are necessary for the provision of services. They said the rule helps maintain order and prevents congestion within designated business areas.
The discussion comes as Fethiye welcomes increasing numbers of domestic and international visitors during the holiday period, placing greater demand on popular coastal locations such as Çalış Beach.
The issue has generated mixed reactions among beachgoers, with some calling for clearer guidelines on the use of public beach areas, while others believe businesses should be able to manage the spaces allocated for their customers.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/calis-plajinda-sezlong-yakinina-oturmayin-uyarisi
Holiday Crowds Flock to Saklıkent Canyon During Eid al-Adha
SEYDIKEMER, MUĞLA – Thousands of domestic and international visitors headed to the world-famous Saklıkent Canyon during the Eid al-Adha holiday, creating long queues at the entrance and bringing a lively atmosphere to one of the region’s most popular natural attractions.
On the third day of the holiday, visitors gathered in large numbers at Saklıkent Canyon, located in the Kayadibi neighbourhood of Seydikemer and operated by Seydikemer Municipality. Holidaymakers sought relief from the summer heat by wading through the canyon’s icy waters, while others enjoyed adventure activities including rafting and zipline experiences.
The increased visitor numbers were also reflected in the surrounding restaurants, cafés and local businesses, which benefited from the holiday influx.
Seydikemer Mayor B. Önder Akdenizli said approximately 20,000 domestic and foreign tourists had visited Saklıkent during the holiday period.
“As you know, Saklıkent is an important tourism destination that has established its reputation not only in Turkey but around the world,” he said. “There is a significant influx of visitors during the holiday. We have welcomed around 20,000 domestic and international guests so far. Our visitors are exploring not only Saklıkent but also the historical and cultural attractions across our region.”
Mayor Akdenizli highlighted the growing interest in nearby ancient sites, particularly Letoon and Tlos, which continue to attract large numbers of visitors.
“We welcome all our guests to our region and will be delighted to host them in our beautiful district of Seydikemer,” he added.
The mayor also noted that visitor numbers have remained consistently strong over the past week, with nearly 3,000 people entering the canyon each day on average.
“According to the latest figures, approximately 18,000 guests visited Saklıkent over the last six to seven days,” he said. “This level of interest makes us very happy, and we hope the remainder of the tourism season will be equally lively and productive.”
Saklıkent Canyon, renowned for its dramatic cliffs, cool waters and stunning natural scenery, remains one of the most visited attractions in the Fethiye and Seydikemer region, drawing nature lovers and adventure seekers throughout the summer season.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/saklikent-kanyonunda-bayram-yogunlugu-1
Eight Killed in Bus Fire as Eid Holiday Return Journey Causes Nationwide Congestion
DENIZLI, MUĞLA – Eight people, including a nine-month-old baby, lost their lives after an intercity passenger bus crashed and caught fire in Denizli province as millions of travellers began returning home following the nine-day Eid al-Adha holiday.
The bus was travelling from İzmir to Antalya when it struck roadside barriers and burst into flames. Authorities said there were 37 passengers and three crew members on board at the time of the accident.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, but eight people died in the fire. Several others were injured and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The fatal crash occurred as heavy traffic built up across Turkey at the end of the holiday period, with millions of people making return journeys from popular tourist destinations.
Long queues were reported on major routes leading to Istanbul, particularly on the motorway through Bolu province, where traffic slowed dramatically and vehicles were moving at speeds of around 20 kilometres per hour in some areas. Congestion was also reported on the TEM motorway and the Istanbul–İzmir motorway as holidaymakers returned from coastal resorts in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.
In Muğla province, traffic volumes increased significantly as visitors departed some of Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations. Thousands of vehicles left Bodrum, creating lengthy queues on roads leading towards Milas. Similar congestion was reported around Fethiye, Marmaris and Datça as the holiday exodus gathered pace.
Authorities continued to monitor traffic conditions across the country and urged drivers to exercise caution during the busy return period.
An investigation into the cause of the bus crash has been launched.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Footage Shows Dramatic Rescue After Tour Boat Sank Off Marmaris
MARMARIS, MUĞLA – Footage has emerged showing the dramatic evacuation of passengers from a tour boat that sank off the coast of Marmaris.
The video captured the moments when passengers were transferred to safety after the vessel began taking on water and later sank. Rescue teams and nearby boats responded quickly to the incident, assisting those on board and ensuring they were moved away from the sinking vessel.
The footage showed passengers wearing life jackets as they were evacuated from the boat and taken to safety. Emergency responders coordinated the operation, helping to prevent panic during the rescue effort.
Authorities have not yet released full details regarding the cause of the sinking, and an investigation is expected to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
The evacuation operation was completed successfully, with all passengers reportedly rescued. Officials continue to assess the situation while maritime authorities examine the vessel and gather information from those involved.
The incident attracted significant attention on social media after the rescue footage began circulating online, highlighting the swift response of emergency teams and nearby vessels that assisted in the operation.
Source: TRT Haber
Europe Faces More Frequent and Intense Heatwaves as Temperatures Reach Record Highs
LONDON – Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have highlighted a growing trend of more frequent, intense and widespread heatwaves, as scientists warn that the continent is warming faster than any other.
According to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Europe has experienced the fastest rate of warming of any continent since 1990. Cities across the continent, from Rome to London, have recently endured unusually high temperatures for this time of year.
The devastating heatwave of 2003 is often regarded as a turning point. Exceptional temperatures across France, Italy, Spain and Portugal contributed to an estimated 70,000 excess deaths in 16 European countries. The event prompted several governments to introduce heat alert systems and emergency response plans.
Since then, extreme heat events have continued to take a heavy toll. Russia’s 45-day heatwave in 2010 resulted in nearly 56,000 excess deaths, while a study estimated that more than 61,000 people died from heat-related causes across 35 European countries during the summer of 2022.
Heatwaves are no longer confined to southern Europe. Over the past two decades, extreme temperatures have affected every region of the continent. Northern and western European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, have all recorded unprecedented temperatures in recent years.
Europe’s highest officially recognised temperature of 48.8°C was recorded in Syracuse, Sicily, in August 2021. National temperature records have also been set across several countries, including France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Researchers have also observed that heatwaves are arriving earlier in the year and lasting later into the season. Recent years have seen record-breaking temperatures in June, while prolonged heat has extended into September in some parts of Europe. This year, unusually early heat has already broken May temperature records in several countries.
Studies show that the frequency of heatwaves has increased significantly, particularly over the past three decades. France’s weather service, Météo-France, reported that two-thirds of the country’s recorded heatwaves since 1947 have occurred since 2000.
Scientists say the trend points to a future in which extreme heat becomes an increasingly common feature of European summers, posing growing challenges for public health, infrastructure, agriculture and water resources.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor has announced that pre-registration is now open for its upcoming gymnastics courses.
The club is inviting young athletes and families interested in gymnastics to register ahead of the new training programme, which will be held through the Fethiyespor Youth Academy.
Club officials said the courses aim to help children develop balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence in a fun and supportive environment under the guidance of qualified instructors.
Parents and guardians seeking further information or wishing to complete pre-registration can contact Fethiyespor on 0531 614 19 33 or visit the Fethiyespor Youth Academy building in person.
Places are expected to be limited, and early registration is encouraged.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 60.69 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 61.41 TL.
The US Dollar bought 45.85 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 45.69 TL.
The Euro bought 53.47 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 53.04 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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