Fire breaks out in 500-year-old Kurchunlu Mosque in Turkey

A fire broke out at the historic Kurchunlu Mosque in the city of Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, during Friday prayers, causing panic among worshippers. No casualties were reported.

The mosque, which was built 508 years ago, suffered damage to its interior, including religious books and prayer rugs. Turkish media highlighted the fire due to the mosque’s historical significance.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. Rescue teams quickly controlled the blaze, and police and medical teams responded to the scene. The authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine whether other factors were involved.

Such fires occasionally occur in Turkey, particularly in historic buildings, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism is working on measures to prevent further incidents by installing fire alarms in key sites.