Turkish PM Tries to Quell Anger Over Fire

Turkish PM Recep Erdogan today visited the site of a questionable Sunday fire in Germany that killed nine ethnic Turks and inflamed tensions between the country, Der Spiegel reports. Charges that the fire was arson, and that rescue workers were slow to respond, have captured headlines in Turkey; Erdogan mourned the loss but tried to quell the anger.

The area has seen neo-Nazi activity, and two children say they saw a German-looking man start the fire. Turkish newspapers have fanned the controversy with headlines like “Nazi Panic in Germany,” but German and Turkish officials are trying to calm the storm. “Our pain is tremendous,” Erdogan said, adding, "let's all help to strengthen the friendship between Germany and Turkey.”