Türkiye: Families turn oak wood into charcoal to earn living in eastern Türkiye.

SHOTLIST ELAZIG, TÜRKIYE (SEPT. 8, 2026) 1. DRONE FOOTAGE OF AREA WHERE CHARCOAL-PRODUCING FAMILIES LIVE 2. VARIOUS OF FAMILIES WORKING WITH THEIR CHILDREN 3. WOMAN WORKING WHILE CARRYING CHILD ON HER BACK 4. VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) CHARCOAL PRODUCER SEYHMUS GECMEZ, SAYING: “We have been in this profession since I was born. We have traveled all over, not only in Elazig but also in Izmir and many other provinces across Türkiye. We put a great deal of effort into this work. We work day and night without stopping.” 6. CLOSE OF BABY SITTING AS FAMILY MEMBERS WORK ON CHARCOAL IN BACKGROUND 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) CHARCOAL PRODUCER SEYHMUS GECMEZ, SAYING: “Preparing a sack of charcoal takes about two months, from bringing the wood down from the mountain and burning it to finally bagging the charcoal.” 8. GECMEZ STACKING LOGS IN PYRAMID SHAPE TO FORM PILE (2 SHOTS) 9. GECMEZ ARRANGING LOGS STACKED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER 10. MAN CUTTING LOGS WITH CHAINSAW (2 SHOTS) 11. VARIOUS OF GECMEZ SHOVELING CHARCOAL INTO SACKS HELD BY FAMILY MEMBER 12. MAN PLACING SACK FULL OF CHARCOAL ON TOP OF PILE OF FULL SACKS ELAZIG, TÜRKIYE - SEPT. 8: Families from Diyarbakir and Mardin are producing charcoal from oak wood in eastern TÜRKİYE's Elazig province, continuing a labor-intensive tradition that provides their livelihood. Ten related families travel to Guzelyurt village from May until the end of the year, living in tents near areas designated by forestry authorities while producing charcoal. Starting at first light, workers cut and prepare oak wood in authorized forest regeneration areas. They stack the wood with straw, cover it with soil and slowly burn it in charcoal kilns. The process takes two to three weeks, requiring workers to take shifts around the clock to control the burning before the finished charcoal is packed and prepared for sale. Workers' spouses and children also help with the demanding process, which often leaves their hands and faces covered in charcoal dust. Charcoal worker Seyhmus Gecmez, 27, said he learned the trade from his father and has been doing the work since childhood, traveling to different parts of TÜRKİYE and working day and night during the production season.