Greece battles wildfires as heatwave rages across southern Europe

BBC:

Firefighters are battling several wildfires in Greece as a scorching heatwave wreaks havoc across southern Europe.

In the past 24 hours alone, more than 152 new fires have broken out across Greece – and thousands of people have been evacuated. Around 4,850 firefighters are engaged in a multi-front battle to contain the flames.

At least three people have died in Spain, Albania and Turkey, with dozens more, inlcuding firefighters, taken to hospiitals with smoke inhalation and burns.

Temperatures surpassed 40C in several locations earlier this week, with record temperatures hitting France and Slovenia.

In Greece, thousands of people have been evacuated from the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos.

In the western Peloponnese, flames swept into the city of Patras overnight, destroying homes, businesses and vehicles.

On Zante, three separate fire fronts spanning more than 15km (9 miles) remain uncontained. Damage has been reported to homes, tourist facilities and farmland.

At least 13 firefighters have been treated for burns and other injuries, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said on Wednesday, warning the conditions could become even more challenging in the coming days.

“Today, it will be another very difficult day, as the wildfire risk for most of the country’s regions will be very high,” Vathrakogiannis said.

Rescue boats have been evacuating beachgoers trapped by advancing flames on Chios and authorities have requested firefighting aircraft from other European Union countries.

In Spain, more than 4,000 people were evacuated overnight in the north-western province of León. A volunteer firefigher died in the same area.

An equestrian centre employee also died after suffering severe burns in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, where winds over 70km/h (43mph) drove flames near homes, forcing hundreds to flee.

The Spanish government has raised its national emergency response level.

“We are at extreme risk of forest fires. Please be very cautious,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.