Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate their homes as firefighters battle wildfires fuelled by strong winds and extreme heat. Temperatures in south-eastern Europe have exceeded 40C for seven consecutive days, with Greece recording highs of 45.8C in Messinia and 45.2C in Amfilochia.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised rescue workers for waging “a titanic battle” against the blazes, which have affected multiple regions including Crete, Evia, and Kythera. Eleven areas face a “very high risk” of fire, and the government has appealed for EU assistance. Czech firefighters and Italian water-bombers have joined the effort.
On the island of Kythera, the destruction has been described as “incalculable” by public broadcaster ERT, with houses, beehives, and olive trees burnt. Deputy mayor Giorgos Komninos said “everything… has been burnt.” Over 139 people, including tourists trapped on a beach, were rescued by the coast guard. Meteorologist Panagiotis Yiannopoulos warned of stronger winds expected over Kythera and Crete until Tuesday evening.
In Turkey, a record temperature of 50.5C was registered in Şirnak province. More than 1,700 people fled their homes as wildfires approached Bursa, the country’s fourth-largest city. Over 1,100 firefighters are battling the flames, with at least 76 blazes breaking out in a 24-hour period. Bursa’s mayor confirmed a firefighter died of a heart attack, bringing the death toll to 14, including ten rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed earlier in a fire in western Turkey.
Dozens of fires were also reported in Albania, where thousands evacuated the southern town of Delvina.
