A blistering and prolonged heatwave is tightening its grip on Southern Europe, acting as a catalyst for a series of devastating wildfires. Countries including Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus are on high alert, battling ferocious blazes fuelled by scorching temperatures and powerful winds.
In Greece, the situation is particularly dire. A massive wildfire forced the evacuation of dozens of patients from a hospital in the coastal town of Nafpaktos. Authorities have declared a state of emergency as the fire, driven by gale-force winds, threatens homes and critical infrastructure. The Greek fire service is battling the flames relentlessly, with the extreme heat making their efforts even more challenging.
Neighbouring Turkey is facing a similar onslaught. A major fire erupted in the Kurdish-majority southeast, ripping through the countryside. Officials have pointed to the soaring temperatures, which have shattered seasonal averages, as a key factor in the fire's rapid spread. The blaze has consumed vast areas of land, threatening local communities and ecosystems.
The island of Cyprus is also grappling with the consequences of the extreme heat. A significant wildfire broke out in a mountainous forest region, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services. The combination of tinder-dry vegetation and strong winds created perfect conditions for the fire to ignite and spread rapidly.
This regional crisis is being driven by a relentless heatwave, with temperatures soaring 6 to 12 degrees Celsius above the norm for this time of year. Meteorologists are linking this intense weather event to the broader pattern of climate change, which is making such extreme heat events more frequent and severe. The searing heat has not only parched the landscape but also placed immense strain on power grids and public health services across the region.
As firefighters continue their brave efforts on the ground, the unfolding situation underscores the escalating challenges posed by a warming climate to Southern Europe.
