ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with Turkey on Tuesday, saying Pakistan was ready to offer assistance as raging wildfires in Izmir province forced authorities to evacuate over 50,000 people. 

Turkey has evacuated more than 50,000 residents from 41 settlements in and around its western province of Izmir since wildfires triggered by soaring temperatures broke out on Sunday, local authorities said. 

Sharif wrote on social media platform X that he was “deeply saddened” by the wildfires, extending his sympathies to Turkey’s president and the nation’s people. 

“We hope and pray that the fires are brought under control swiftly, with minimal loss to lives and property,” Sharif wrote.

“Pakistan stands in full solidarity with our brave and resilient Turkish brothers and sisters, and remains ready to offer any assistance needed in this hour of need.”

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X he was concerned at the “disturbing news” of the Izmir wildfires. 

“We hope and pray that the fire is brought under control sooner without any more damage,” he said, adding that Pakistan was ready to offer assistance to Turkey.

Turkey’s Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Monday that the blaze was fanned overnight by winds reaching 40-50kmph (25-30mph) in Kuyucak and Doganbey areas of Izmir.

Izmir airport, which temporarily suspended flights on Sunday, has resumed operations, Turkish media reported.

Wildfires have ravaged nearly 19,000 hectares of land across Turkey so far this year, according to website of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

Experts say human-driven climate change is causing more frequent and more intense wildfires and other natural disasters, and have warned Turkey to take measures to tackle the problem.

With additional input from AFP