A fire occurred at Güngör Landfill yesterday around 8:30 AM, with the cause still unknown. The fire led to the release of thick black smoke in the area, adversely affecting the surrounding environment. Firefighting teams and heavy machinery from a private company were deployed to extinguish the blaze spanning approximately 20,000 to 25,000 square meters.
The Environmental Protection Agency stated that the long-standing issues in the region should be addressed not with temporary solutions, but with permanent and sustainable approaches. Following the recent fire, the agency has initiated a comprehensive evaluation process to identify institutional-level problems.
Area Affected by the Fire and Environmental Assessments
A technical team led by Yılmaz Altunterim, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Office of the Vice Prime Minister and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, conducted assessments in the region after the fire. According to the evaluations, the incident occurred across a wide area of 20,000 to 25,000 square meters.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, inspections at Güngör Landfill revealed that waste was not adequately covered with soil and that some operational standards of the facility were not properly adhered to.
Ongoing Efforts for Permanent Solutions
Reports from the agency indicate that Güngör Regular Disposal Facility is at risk of losing its waste management function due to current operational conditions, necessitating immediate rehabilitation efforts. Therefore, the goal is to eliminate threats posed by environmental impacts.
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that technical efforts conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey are in their final stages. The aim of these efforts is not only to resolve existing issues but also to restructure the facility according to modern waste management practices.
At this juncture, it is emphasized that necessary steps for permanent transformation are imperative. Assessments following the fire highlighted the urgent need to implement measures to protect environmental health.
The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that it will continue its inspections to protect public health and will collaborate with all relevant institutions to ensure Güngör becomes a sustainable waste management facility.
Source: www.diyaloggazetesi.com
