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Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 4th January 2026

Lyn Ward
January 5, 2026
4:30 am
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Fethiye, Fethiye Weather, Fethiyespor, News, Turkey, Turkish Lira Exchange Rates

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

Curated from various news sources.

NEWS

Heavy Snow and Freezing Temperatures Grip Turkey as 2026 Begins

Ankara, TURKEY – Much of Turkey was gripped by severely cold weather and widespread snowfall on Thursday as the country welcomed 2026, with winter conditions disrupting daily life across large swathes of the nation.

Snowfall affected at least 63 cities, including Ankara and Istanbul, though precipitation was limited to certain districts in the two major metropolitan areas. Authorities issued weather warnings for 31 provinces, cautioning residents about heavy precipitation and dangerous road conditions.

The provinces under alert included Adana, Ağrı, Artvin, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elazığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Giresun, Gümüşhane, Hakkari, Hatay, Kars, Kocaeli, Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Mardin, Muş, Rize, Sakarya, Siirt, Trabzon, Tunceli, Van, Zonguldak, Batman, Şırnak, Bartın, Ardahan, Osmaniye and Düzce.

Although schools were already closed on Thursday due to the New Year holiday, authorities extended closures to Friday in several cities as snowfall intensified.

In Istanbul, snowfall was particularly intense during the morning hours, easing later in the afternoon, though cold temperatures persisted. Authorities urged motorists nationwide to exercise caution as winter conditions continue.

Source: Daily Sabah

Avalanches Hit Eastern Turkey as Severe Winter Weather Tightens Grip

Ankara, TURKEY – A wave of severe winter weather across Turkey has triggered deadly avalanches, widespread evacuations and transport disruptions as authorities warned of continued risks in the first days of the new year.

In the eastern province of Van, two avalanches struck residential areas in the Çatak district on January 1. The first avalanche hit a neighbourhood, causing serious damage to several homes but no injuries. As a precaution, authorities evacuated 22 houses, relocating residents to school dormitories amid fears of further slides.

A second avalanche later struck another neighbourhood in the same district, leaving one person injured and another reported missing under the snow, according to local media. Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched and operations continued under harsh weather conditions. Officials said 105 settlements in the district had already been cut off due to heavy snowfall.

A similar tragedy unfolded in the Black Sea province of Artvin on December 31, when an avalanche hit a plateau at an altitude of about 2,300 metres, sweeping away three shepherds and their livestock. Authorities confirmed that one shepherd was found dead, while search efforts continue for two others, including one Afghan national.

Turkey is experiencing a prolonged spell of extreme winter weather, with freezing temperatures, strong winds and high avalanche risk, according to the Turkish State Meteorological Service. High-altitude areas of Eastern Anatolia and the Eastern Black Sea region remain under serious avalanche warnings, and residents have been urged to avoid dangerous slopes and follow official advisories.

While heavy snowfall has begun to ease in western and central regions, a deep freeze continues to grip central and eastern Turkey. Central Anatolia is among the hardest hit, with night-time temperatures forecast to drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius. Further snowfall is expected along the Black Sea coast and in eastern provinces such as Erzurum, Kars and Siirt, increasing avalanche risks across mountainous terrain.

Stormy weather is also forecast from the Marmara region to Eastern Anatolia, compounding hazardous road conditions. As snow and ice disrupted daily life, education was suspended in many provinces, including districts of Istanbul, as well as Bolu, Sinop, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Ağrı, Kars and Hakkari.

Meteorologists said the intense cold is expected to continue through the weekend, particularly in eastern Turkey, while rain is forecast to return to western regions early next week. Istanbul and İzmir are expected to see highs of around 9 degrees Celsius, while Ankara is bracing for bitter conditions, with temperatures falling to minus 12 degrees at night and reaching only 2 degrees during the day.

Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Babadağ Summit in Fethiye Blanketed by Snow

Fethiye, MUĞLA – The summit of Babadağ, overlooking the Fethiye district of Muğla, was covered in snow following a shift in weather conditions in the region.

Rainfall that affected the area earlier turned into snow on Babadağ, which rises to 1,965 metres and is located above the Ölüdeniz neighbourhood. A white blanket formed across the summit of the mountain, which is home to one of Turkey’s most famous paragliding centres.

The snow-covered peak, situated approximately 30 kilometres from Fethiye town centre, was clearly visible from the city, drawing the attention of residents. Many locals shared photos and videos of the wintry scene on social media.

Authorities warned drivers to exercise caution on the Babadağ mountain road, citing the risk of icy conditions and potential accidents as cold weather continues to affect higher elevations.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-deki-babadag-in-zirvesi-beyaza-burundu/113930/

LED-Lighted Tractor Draws New Year Attention in Muğla

Yatağan, MUĞLA – A tractor decorated with LED lights for the New Year attracted widespread attention in the Yatağan district of Muğla, becoming an unusual sight for local residents.

Car modification enthusiasts in the district adorned a tractor—considered an icon of the region—with approximately 100 metres of LED lighting. Instead of being driven on public roads, the illuminated tractor was paraded through the town centre on a tow truck, ensuring safety and compliance with traffic regulations.

Dr. Erdem Çetinkaya, who organised the display, said special care was taken to fully obey traffic rules, and the tractor was deliberately kept off public roads to prevent any potential accidents.

The brightly lit tractor, touring the streets on the tow truck, sparked curiosity and interest among citizens, many of whom stopped to watch and take photos of the eye-catching New Year display.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/mugla-da-led-isikli-traktor-dikkat-cekti/113893/?p=2

Paragliding Flights Rise by 2% in 2025, Led by Strong Chinese Tourist Interest

Fethiye, MUĞLA – Babadağ in Fethiye, one of the world’s leading paragliding destinations, achieved another flight record in 2025, with the total number of flights increasing by 2% compared to the previous year.

According to official figures, a total of 194,996 paragliding flights were carried out from Babadağ to Ölüdeniz in 2025. Of these, 134,684 were tandem (two-person) flights, while 60,312 were single (one-person) flights, highlighting continued strong demand for both commercial and individual paragliding experiences.

The data also showed that Chinese tourists ranked first among foreign visitors in terms of flight numbers, a development attributed to strengthened tourism ties between Fethiye and China. In 2025, flights included 30,231 Chinese, 25,704 British, 25,262 Russian, 7,954 German, 2,377 French, 2,002 South Korean, 1,264 Polish, and 1,124 Ukrainian tourists. In addition, 65,371 domestic tourists from Turkey experienced tandem paragliding from Babadağ.

Osman Çıralı, President of the Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the figures reflect sustained growth in paragliding tourism. “A total of 194,996 flights were made in 2025, representing a 2% increase compared to last year. We also saw a 10% rise in commercial tandem flights,” he said, adding that 398 commercial tandem pilots affiliated with 50 travel agencies operated throughout the year.

Çıralı noted that strict inspections were carried out to maintain safety standards. As a result, 35 pilots were penalised for regulatory violations, with suspensions ranging from three days to two years. In addition, 17 travel agencies faced fines, temporary suspensions of 10 to 30 days, and, in some cases, revocation of tourism business licences.

Expressing optimism for the year ahead, Çıralı said promotional efforts, particularly in China, were continuing. “We are hopeful for 2026 and expect flight numbers to increase further,” he said, underlining Babadağ’s growing contribution to Turkey’s adventure tourism sector.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/babadagda-yine-ucus-rekoru-gerceklestirildi

Countdown Begins for Datça’s Winter Swimming Marathon

Datça, MUĞLA – Preparations are under way in Datça for one of Turkey’s longest-running open sea winter swimming events, with the Datça Open Sea Winter Swimming Marathon set to take place for the 20th time on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Around 500 athletes are expected to compete in the marathon, swimming 1,500 metres or 5,000 metres along courses designed to follow Datça’s natural coastline. The routes have been carefully planned with wind and sea currents in mind, offering a demanding yet safe challenge in Datça’s famously clear winter waters.

Located at the meeting point of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, Datça is considered one of the most suitable regions in Turkey for winter swimming thanks to its mild microclimate. Sea temperatures in January typically range between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, while sheltered bays and high salinity further enhance swimming conditions.

The marathon is notable for its wide age range, with categories open to athletes aged 14 to 85 and over, highlighting the event’s inclusive spirit and its message that sport can be enjoyed at any age.

First held in 2007, the Datça Open Sea Winter Swimming Marathon has grown into a local tradition, reflecting the district’s close relationship with nature. Hosted by Datça Municipality and organised by the Datça Sports Club with volunteer support, the non-commercial event attracts participants from across Turkey and abroad and is expected to provide a boost to winter sports tourism in the district.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/datca-da-kis-yuzme-maratonu-icin-geri-sayim-basladi/113984/

Turkey Records Over 53,000 Earthquakes in 2025, Second Most Active Year on Record

Ankara, TURKEY – Turkey recorded 53,262 earthquakes in 2025, making it the country’s second most seismically active year since the devastating Feb. 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, according to a leading disaster management expert.

Associate Professor Bülent Özmen of Gazi University’s Faculty of Engineering said the figures highlight Turkey’s ongoing and elevated earthquake risk, with the country experiencing an average of six earthquakes per hour and 146 per day.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Özmen said 437 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 and above were recorded during the year, including 412 between 4.0 and 5.0, 20 between 5.0 and 6.0, and five between 6.0 and 6.9. This means Turkey experienced, on average, one magnitude 4 earthquake per day, a magnitude 5 or stronger quake every 15 days, and a magnitude 6 or stronger quake roughly every 73 days.

Balıkesir ranked as the province with the highest number of earthquakes in 2025, driven largely by intense seismic activity in the Sındırgı district. Other highly active provinces included Kütahya, Muğla, Malatya, and Kahramanmaraş.

The year’s strongest earthquake was a magnitude 6.2 quake off the coast of Silivri near Istanbul on April 23, once again underscoring the city’s vulnerability. Özmen also pointed to two magnitude 6.1 earthquakes in Sındırgı on Aug. 10 and Oct. 27, after which nearly 21,000 earthquakes were recorded in the district over about 4.5 months—an unprecedented level for a single district.

Earthquakes in 2025 caused three deaths and 594 injuries, all linked to panic rather than structural collapse, highlighting shortcomings in public preparedness. Özmen warned that earthquake-resistant construction remains insufficient, stressing that aging and vulnerable buildings can suffer serious damage even in moderate quakes.

He called for accelerated urban transformation, restrictions on development along active fault lines affecting 24 provinces and 81 districts, and improved spatial planning that accounts for risks such as liquefaction and landslides. Özmen also urged the nationwide expansion of disaster awareness training to reduce panic and improve public response during earthquakes.

Source: Daily Sabah

SPORT

Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor weekly update.

Preparations Underway for Fethiyespor–Galatasaray Turkish Cup Match

Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said the district is fully prepared to host Galatasaray in the upcoming Fethiyespor–Galatasaray Ziraat Turkish Cup match on January 13, stressing that all institutions are working in close coordination to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Speaking after inspecting works at the Fethiye District Stadium, Mayor Karaca said the municipality and Fethiyespor management are jointly addressing all technical and physical requirements outlined by the Football Federation and the broadcasting company. He noted that new grass has been laid on the pitch, additional stands are under construction, and professional teams are overseeing preparations.

Karaca underlined that the focus is not on the result of the match but on fair play and hospitality. “We will host Galatasaray, one of the biggest clubs in Turkey, in the best way possible. Our aim is not to win or lose, but to ensure a gentlemanly match and that our guests leave Fethiye with positive impressions,” he said.

He added that coordination is continuing with the district governorate and sports authorities, noting that around 3,000 tickets have already been sold and the stadium is expected to be full on match day.

Mayor Karaca also responded to social media posts showing outdated images of the pitch, saying such content was misleading and harmful to the city and the club. He called on the public and the media to act responsibly and support the collective effort underway in Fethiye.

Looking ahead, Karaca announced that plans for a new stadium are progressing, with legal and zoning preparations currently being finalised. He said the goal is to host major teams in the future in a modern facility worthy of Fethiye’s status as one of Turkey’s leading cities.

Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/baskan-karaca-galatasarayi-fethiyemizde-en-iyi-sekilde-agirlayacagiz

Fethiyespor Continue Preparations in Antalya Training Camp

Fethiyespor trained at a bootcamp in Antalya under the direction of head coach Sait Karafırtınalar, continuing preparations for the second half of the season with an intensive and focused training programme.