By Hannah Ahmed
A travel insurance expert has warned over five steps UK tourists should follow as wildfires rage on in parts of the region. Niraj Mamtora, director at Forum Insurance, stressed the importance of ‘prioritising your safety’ first and foremost if you are in one of the seven areas impacted by wildfires at the moment. Blazes in Izmir, Alia臒a, Gaziemir, Manisa, Menderes, Seferihisar and the Hatay have been recorded, with 50,000 people so far evacuated due to the fires. Niraj said: “As wildfires continue to spread across southern Turkey, many travellers are facing urgent decisions about evacuation, emergency costs, and whether their insurance will respond.” The specialist put together five steps you are advised to follow if you are in an area of Turkey impacted by the wild fires. READ MORE: 50,000 evacuated in Turkish hotspots as wildfires rage Niraj said: ” Follow local authority instructions and seek shelter or evacuation as directed. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, local emergency services and international aid organisations will often be first on the scene, providing essentials like shelter, food, water, and medical care.” If you’re a British citizen, this can be helpful for advice and support in the event of an emergency such as this, with Niraj highly recommending travellers to make contact with the government body. He said: “They can provide crisis support, including evacuation help if commercial options aren鈥檛 available. They may open a dedicated hotline or online registration for those affected.” If you’re not British, the best course of action would be to contact your embassy or consulate, according to the specialist, as they can air with travel documentaion and contacting family if you need it. The expert said: “They can help you contact family, replace lost travel documents, and sometimes offer emergency funds.” If you purchase anything you were not expecting to, it is important to keep the receipts. For example, this could include for extra accommodation, food or transport. Niraj added: “These may not be covered by insurance, but some aid organisations or governments offer reimbursement or emergency loans.” READ MORE: Foreign Office advice for Turkey after 50,000 evacuated and holidays at risk It is important to stay in regular contact with the government or your embassy if you are facing a crisis such as the Turkey wildfires. Niraj explained this is because: “embassies or governments may organise repatriation flights or other emergency transport, sometimes with a fee or repayable loan.鈥