Onedio's wildfire cartoon sparks backlash: Cartoonist apologizes

Onedio faced backlash for a post comparing the wildfire disaster that broke out in villages in Diyarbakır and Mardin on June 20 to the 'Olympic flame.' The cartoonist behind the illustration, Sina Ateş, issued a statement and apologized.

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A cartoon shared by the social content platform Onedio regarding the wildfire that broke out in villages in Mardin and Diyarbakır, which claimed the lives of 15 citizens, has sparked backlash.

The cartoon included the caption: "The stubble Olympic flame started by the Smurf villagers is moving toward Mardin."

Following the growing backlash on social media, the platform removed the post.

STATEMENT FROM THE CARTOONIST

In a statement regarding the matter on his social media account, the cartoonist, Sina Ateş, said: "My intention was not to hurt or upset anyone, especially with such an event... While making these drawings, it never crossed my mind to make any ethnic or class-based distinctions. I apologize to anyone whose heart I have broken or who I have led to think otherwise."

Onedio has not yet issued a statement regarding the matter.