Wildfire kills 10 emergency workers in Turkey

At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in northwestern Turkey.

The five forestry workers and five members of a rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province.

At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalised.

The deaths bring the number of fatalities from Turkey's wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions to 13.

Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers.

He said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions were expected to continue.

"Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution," he said.

In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought "to protect our forests at cost of their lives."

Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the country's justice minister said.

Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.

An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.

Meanwhile, police in Cyprus found a person dead inside a car near a massive wildfire that has destroyed numerous homes and forced the evacuation of a dozen villages on the southern side of the island nation's Troodos mountain range.

The fire continues to burn uncontrollably over a number of fronts and is visible from the coastal resort town of Limassol.

Media reports showed some gutted homes smouldering as the flames swept through the outskirts of some villages.