05 Aug 2021; MEMO: The 35-year-old coal-fired Kemerkoy Power Station in south-west Turkey's Mugla region and a nearby town on the Aegean Sea were evacuated late yesterday as deadly wildfires reached the plant.
Babies, children and people over the age of 65 were removed from the area, local media reported.They have been taken to shelters.
In a statement the Kemerkoy Electric Distribution Company said the power plant is not at risk of explosions.
Mugla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Osman Gurun said that the hydrogen tanks in Kemerkoy Power Station have been emptied.
"Even if the fire reaches the power plant, an explosion is not expected," the mayor said. "Hydrogen facilities and hydrogen gas in the power plant have been emptied and secured."
Former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ozturk warned that if the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Station burns, toxic gases will be released and could damage human health, Turkey's NTV reported.
Since 28 July forest fires have been spreading in more than 187 locations in 21 provinces and districts in Turkey, 172 of which were brought under control.
Firefighters used planes and helicopters to tackle the fires, while the government has faced fresh criticism of its handling of the disaster.
