Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
🧿 LOCAL NEWS
Spectacular Lightning Storms Light Up Fethiye Skies
A series of dramatic lightning storms dazzled residents and visitors in Fethiye this week, painting the night skies with spectacular bursts of light.
Local photographer Hamdi Yaman captured the electrifying displays in a stunning collection of images that highlight the raw power and beauty of nature. His photos showcase bolts of lightning arcing across the sky, illuminating the mountains and coastline in surreal, cinematic scenes.
This breathtaking video was captured from Aşıklar Tepesi – Lover’s Hill – offering a front-row seat to nature’s electric performance.
For many, it was a rare opportunity to witness such dramatic weather in this picturesque corner of Turkey.
Copyright: Hamdi Yaman
Göcek Herb Food Festival Postponed to April 20 Due to Weather
The Göcek Culture and Tourism Association has announced that the eagerly anticipated Herb Food Festival, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed to Sunday, April 20, 2025, due to unfavourable weather conditions.
In a statement, the association said the decision was made to ensure the event could be held in an enjoyable and healthy environment for all participants. The rescheduled festival promises a day full of flavour and festivity, celebrating traditional herb-based dishes and local culinary culture.
Revised Festival Programme – 20 April 2025:
- 10:00 – Festival Opening
- 12:00 – Cooking Competition
- 14:00 – Cooking Show by Guest Chefs
- 16:00 – Award Ceremony
- 17:00 – Festival Closing
Food enthusiasts and visitors will have the chance to explore Göcek’s culinary heritage, sample a variety of herb dishes, and enjoy interactive events throughout the day.
The Göcek Culture and Tourism Association thanked all supporters and participants for their understanding, expressing their excitement to welcome everyone on April 20.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/gocek-ot-yemekleri-festivali-20-nisan-a-ertelendi/96468/
Watermelon Prices Shock Shoppers at Fethiye Saturday Market – Citizens Opt for Slices
Watermelon lovers in Fethiye were left stunned this weekend as prices soared at the popular Saturday Market in Pazaryeri Neighbourhood, with whole watermelons becoming a luxury item for many.
Selling at around 80 TL per kilo, a single watermelon—typically weighing between 8 to 10 kilos—now costs between 640 and 800 TL, putting serious strain on household budgets. In response, many citizens are turning to sliced watermelon as a more affordable option.
Shoppers say they simply can’t justify buying an entire watermelon at these prices. A single 3-kilo slice now sells for 240 TL, offering a taste of summer without the steep cost of a whole fruit.
Vendors note that while demand for whole watermelons has dropped, sliced watermelon is selling steadily as families try to adapt to rising food prices amid ongoing economic pressures and declining purchasing power.
As the summer fruit season approaches, many are hoping for a price drop that will once again make watermelon a staple at the family table.
Storks Return to the Same Mosque Minaret for 12th Year, Becoming Local Symbol
In a heart-warming tradition that has endured for over a decade, storks have been building their nests on the minaret of the Düğerek Alaatin Yalçın Mosque in Menteşe’s Düğerek neighbourhood for the past 12 years, becoming a beloved symbol of the area.
Arriving like clockwork in the first week of April, the storks captivate the local community, who look forward to their return each spring. Residents report that the birds have been coming regularly for the past five to six years to hatch and raise their chicks before departing after fledging.
“The storks have been coming for 12 years. When it’s windy, the brushwood and twigs they use for their nests can blow away, but they always rebuild,” said one local. “After hatching, the young storks practise flying before they leave.”
Former neighbourhood headman Mehmet Ortayol shared his delight at the birds’ annual visits, saying: “They come every year in the first days of April. The neighbourhood eagerly awaits them—it’s become a tradition.”
The mosque administration also plays its part by carefully preserving the nests on the dome, ensuring a safe return for the storks each year.
Capturing the beauty of the moment, photographer and professional drone pilot Akın Akgün filmed the returning storks from above. “I was so happy to capture them building their nest on the mosque’s dome,” Akgün said. “I shared the footage on my social media, @akinakinmugla, set to a song by the late Volkan Konak. The post received thousands of likes.”
As the storks continue to return, they offer not just a sign of spring, but a sense of continuity and joy for the people of Düğerek.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/leylekler-12-yildir-ayni-caminin-minaresine-yuva-yapiyorlar
Fire at 5-Star Hotel in Marmaris Brought Under Control — Six Hospitalised, Hundreds Evacuated
A fire that broke out early Friday morning at a 5-star hotel on the Marmaris-İçmeler road was swiftly brought under control, with six individuals hospitalised due to smoke inhalation and 680 guests safely evacuated.
The fire started at 05:58 in the hotel’s boiler room, producing heavy smoke that quickly spread through the building. Guests and staff alerted the emergency services, prompting the rapid arrival of firefighting units, forest fire crews, and additional teams from the Aksaz Naval Base Command due to the fire’s escalation and the hotel being at full capacity.
Thanks to the coordinated effort of fire brigade units, AFAD, and health teams, the blaze was contained before it could cause further harm. Hotel rooms were checked individually to ensure all guests were safely evacuated.
Six people affected by the smoke were transported to hospital. Fortunately, their conditions are reported to be stable.
Emergency teams remain on-site as precautionary measures continue and a full assessment of the situation is underway. An investigation into the cause of the fire has also been launched.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/otel-yangini-kontrol-altina-alindi
🧿 NEWS FROM AROUND TURKEY
Canoeing Among Ice Floes: Thrill-Seekers Take to Thawing Zernek Dam Lake in Van
As temperatures rise in the eastern Turkish city of Van’s Gürpınar district, adventure enthusiasts are seizing a rare opportunity to canoe through the partially thawed Zernek Dam Lake, where melting ice floes create a surreal and striking landscape.
Once entirely frozen during the harsh winter — when temperatures dipped to -20°C — the lake is now transitioning into spring, drawing nature lovers eager to experience the unusual conditions.
Members of a local nature sports club recently transported their canoes to the lake and paddled through the drifting ice, navigating a truly one-of-a-kind route.
“We’ve done many outdoor activities in different locations before, but this was our first time canoeing through ice floes,” said club member Mesut Gül, expressing excitement over the unique setting they had been waiting weeks to explore.
Fellow adventurer and extreme sports enthusiast Muhlis Kaya described the experience as unforgettable. “It was an incredible experience. Watching the ice break apart and drift while paddling through was mesmerizing,” he said.
Beyond the thrill, Kaya highlighted a deeper purpose behind the event — to raise awareness about the protection of water resources and natural beauty, while also promoting tourism in the region. “We want to show people how stunning and valuable these landscapes are. We encourage others to come and experience it for themselves,” he added.
The event underscores how outdoor recreation can both celebrate nature and inspire conservation efforts, offering a fresh perspective on the seasonal transformation of Zernek Dam Lake.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/van-dam-lake-offers-canoeing-among-drifting-ice-floes-207649
Meta is fined by Turkey after refusing to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram
Meta said it has been hit with a hefty fine for resisting Turkish government demands to limit content on Facebook and Instagram.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has been trying to restrict opposition voices on social media after widespread protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, who’s a key rival.
“We pushed back on requests from the Turkish government to restrict content that is clearly in the public interest, and have been fined by them as a consequence,” the company said in a statement.
The social media company did not disclose the size of the fine, except to say it was “substantial” and did not provide any more details about the content in question. The Associated Press has approached the Turkish government for comment.
“Government requests to restrict speech online alongside threats to shut down online services are severe and have a chilling effect on people’s ability to express themselves,” Meta said.
In recent years the Turkish government has increasingly sought to bring social media companies under its control. When protests erupted following the March 19 arrest of opposition Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, many social media platforms such as X, Instagram and Facebook were blocked.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-instagram-turkey-erdogan-59f16571e884fd6f0f9597a72771131f
Inflation eases in Turkey although Trump tariffs pose economic risks
Turkey’s annual inflation rate eased to 38.1% in March, down from 39.1% in February, marking the 10th consecutive month of decline and the lowest reading since December 2021, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The figure also came in below analyst expectations of 38.9%.
Slower price increases were seen in key categories including clothing and footwear (14.8%), transport (21.6%), household equipment (32.4%), health (42%), and restaurants and hotels (43.4%). However, food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation ticked up slightly to 37.1%.
On a monthly basis, inflation rose by 2.5% in March, up from 2.3% in February.
Despite the downward trend, Turkey’s inflation remains well above global averages. The Central Bank has already begun easing monetary policy, lowering its key interest rate to 42.5% in early March. However, upside risks remain, including a new 10% US baseline tariff, which could complicate future rate decisions.
🧿 SPORT
Fethiyespor
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Results
Fethiyespor lost their home match against 1461 Trabzon FK on Wednesday. The final score was 0-3.
Fethiyespor won their home match against Kepezspor A.Ş. on Sunday. The final score was 1-0.
Fethiyespor remain at 9th position in the league table.
League Matches
Sunday, 13 April, away against Isparta 32. Kick-off time is 15:00.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 48.95 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 49.19 TL.
The US Dollar bought 37.99 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 37.99 TL.
The Euro bought 41.64 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 41.32 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
