The Guardian’s picture editors have selected photographs from around the world for Friday, featuring wildfires in Europe, Mount Etna’s eruption, and a Scottish school’s twin phenomenon.
Wildfires across Europe
In Omiš, Croatia, firefighters worked during a massive wildfire at the coastal town. In Siviri, Greece, a singed ‘For sale’ sign stood in a fire-ravaged forest. In Luglon, France, a firefighter hosed down charred trees as flames continued to rage in Landes forest.
In Stourbridge, England, the remains of homes were visible after a huge fire. On Thursday, the UK’s hottest day of the year, a wildfire spread to at least six homes in the town, prompting mass evacuations and leaving two people with heat and smoke inhalation.
Heatwave and volcanic activity
In Sandrovo, Bulgaria, a stranded boat lay on the exposed Danube riverbed after a heatwave caused water levels to sink to a record low. In Catania, Italy, Mount Etna continued to erupt, spewing ash and molten lava down its slopes; the volcano is Europe’s most active.
Elsewhere, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a girl rested at a shelter for families displaced by gang violence. In Beit Sahur, West Bank, Israeli settlers raised flags over a Palestinian house they seized. In Ukraine, a Ukrainian Himars crew attached to the 148th brigade fired rockets at Russian positions on the frontline.
Festivals and sports
In Bariloche, Argentina, residents participated in a torch parade during the national snow festival. In Karachi, Pakistan, the port trust building was illuminated in the run-up to Independence Day. In Elche, Spain, people lit fireworks during the Nit de l’Albá festival.
In Clacton, England, candidates, including Count Binface, posed after the declaration of the coastal town’s byelection. In Inverclyde, Scotland, sets of twins posed at Ardgowan primary, nicknamed “Twinverclyde” for its high number of twins; the 18 children will start at schools across the area in the new term.
In Birmingham, England, athletes competed in the women’s heptathlon 100m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships. In Toronto, Canada, Poland’s Iga Świątek played with Elway, Tennis Canada’s mascot dog, after beating Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the final of the Canadian Open.
