Ankara - Two people were burnt to death and more than 40 injured in a forest fire in southern Turkey on Tuesday, NTV television reported. 

The blaze in the Mediterranean province of Mersin started around midday on Monday and forced the evacuation of a number of villagers in the region around Silifke. 

In addition to destroying 400 hectares of forest, a large number of farm animals were killed in the fire. 

Backed by water-dumping helicopters, around 500 fire-fighters continued working Tuesday morning to bring the blaze under control, a task made more difficult by high winds in the area, NTV reported. (dpa)