OREANDA-NEWS According to Fizuli Mollayev, a member of the board of directors of the company that manages the aircraft, Turkish authorities did not require any explanation from the crew of the Russian Be-200 amphibious aircraft, which took part in extinguishing a fire in the Lara region of Antalya, Turkey and which aroused some concern among local residents.

As one of the Turkish media reported earlier, the Turkish authorities asked for some information from the crew of one of the Russian Be-200ES amphibious aircraft leased to fight forest fires. After taking water, the plane flew close enough to residential buildings in Lara, which caused concern among locals.

Fizuli Mollaev explained, that water was taken from the nearest natural reservoir in accordance with all fire extinguishing rules. The forest fire occurred near the houses, over which the plane was flying at a safe height. The pilots couldn’t leave the forest on fire, so they were extinguishing it as they had to in such a situation. The Turkish authorities treated this with understanding, they did not demand any explanations from the Russians.

He added that the route is agreed by the dispatcher, and the crew consists both of Russian and Turkish pilots, a representative of the forestry is on board. The water taking is determined according to a previously agreed plan with the participation of representatives of the flight management of the region.

As it was reported before, two Russian Be-200 amphibious aircraft arrived in Turkey to help extinguish forest fires. Aircraft with Russian crews will be on duty for four months in the vicinity of Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum.