Sea cleared for mine blast

The Aegean Sea was cleared of bathers off Altinkum Beach yesterday for a brief period after a sea mine, thought to dating back to the War of Independence, was discovered about 200 metres off the coast.

It was safely detonated by Coast Guards.

Bank rates on hold

Turkey’s Central Bank has held all key rates following a meeting on Tuesday. It has left its benchmark one-week repo and overnight borrowing rates at 7.5 percent and 7.25 percent, respectively.

Two fatal accidents on Didim’s roads

Two people died in separate accidents on Didim’s roads this week.

Local lawyer Tahsin Metin (48) died when his car was involved in a head-on collision near Akkoy.

While pedestrian Hasan Vural (68) died following injuries when he was struck by a car as he crossed Inonu Boulevard.

Deputy Mayor resigns

Didim’s Deputy Mayor Ercan Atasoy has announced his resignation on health grounds.

Local media said that following a number of incidents widely reported in the year, including an attack on him personally, Mr Atasoy had decided to call it a day as the council’s second most powerful man.

Mr Atasoy said: “It is true I have offered my resignation to the mayor. Both my health problems, I had to give my resignation because of my work commitments and health problems.”