Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate their homes as firefighters struggle to contain wildfires fanned by strong winds and extreme heat. Temperatures in south-eastern Europe have exceeded 40C for seven consecutive days, with Greece recording 45.8C and Turkey reaching a record 50.5C.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised rescue workers for waging “a titanic battle” against the blazes. Eleven regions in Greece 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. Fires on the island of Kythera have caused “incalculable” destruction, with the deputy mayor reporting that houses, beehives, and olive trees have been burnt.
In Turkey, more than 1,700 people fled their homes as wildfires approached Bursa, the country’s fourth-largest city. At least 76 fires broke out in 24 hours, and a firefighter died of a heart attack, bringing the death toll to 14. Ten of the victims were rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed earlier in the west.
Dozens of fires were also reported in Albania, where thousands evacuated the southern town of Delvina. Meteorologists warn that strong winds will continue to fan the flames in Greece, particularly over Kythera and Crete, until Tuesday evening.
