A fire fighting helicopter, its pilots and crew who were stationed in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) during the summer months departed on Tuesday following the end of the fire season.

The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dursun Oğuz who received the crew before they left, thanked them for their efforts in putting out forest fires.

The fire fighting helicopter and its crew had been stationed on the island since June in line with a protocol signed with Türkiye.

Receiving the crew, Minister Oğuz underlined the importance of the duty they carried in fighting forest fires.

He said the stationing of the helicopter in the TRNC was of utmost importance particularly during the scorching summer months.

Minister Oğuz said that swift response to forest fires was vital and essential.

Thanking the crew, he said he looked forward to seeing them in the TRNC again in the near future.