At least 3 dead and thousands displaced as wildfires rage across southern Europe
More than 100 wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate across southern Europe amid record drought and heatwave conditions linked to climate change, officials said.
- Across southern Europe and the Balkans, wildfires fueled by a heatwave and strong winds continued to rage on Wednesday, killing at least three people, including a forestry worker in southern Turkey and an 80-year-old man south of Tirana, Albania.
- An AFP analysis found that 52% of Europe and the Mediterranean basin endured drought in July, exceeding the 2012-2024 average by 21%, with heat alerts issued in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the Balkans with temperatures above 40C.
- Since dawn on Wednesday, 4,850 firefighters and 33 planes were mobilised across Greece, with Portugal deploying over 1,800 firefighters and around 20 aircraft against major blazes.
- On Tuesday, authorities ordered residents of about 7,700 people near Patras to evacuate, as fires threatened nearby villages and heritage sites.
- After Greece requested four water bombers from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Syriza criticised the government's preparation, saying Greece needed `a bold redistribution of resources in favour of civil protection`, an `emphasis on prevention`, and better coordination.
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55 Articles
Wildfires sweep Southern Europe, kill at least three
Deadly wildfires intensified across southern Europe, threatening cities, farmland and forests. Greece, Spain, Turkey, and Albania reported fatalities, mass evacuations and widespread destruction amid extreme heat, strained firefighting resources, and suspected arson cases.
Wildfires Are Sweeping Across Europe, Accelerated by Climate Crisis
With firefighters in southern Europe battling blazes that have killed people in multiple countries and forced thousands to evacuate, Spain’s environment minister on Wednesday called the wildfires a “clear warning” of the climate emergency driven by the fossil fuel industry. While authorities have cited a variety of causes for current fires across the continent, from arson to “careless farming… Source
Greece expects a "very difficult day", Portugal is on maximum alert, in Albania the situation is out of control while the situation has improved in France and Italy.
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