Three firefighters have lost their lives while battling large fires in Greece, as high temperatures and flames continue to threaten several countries in Southern Europe.
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Two firefighters died on the island of Crete, where they were surrounded by fire in the Rethymno area. The spread of the flames, fueled by strong winds, necessitated the evacuation of several villages. The third victim, also a firefighter, was found unconscious near the port city of Gytheio, in the southern part of the Peloponnese.
The mountain village of Krya Vrysi was abandoned by residents and tourists. Witnesses reported moments of panic as the flames advanced rapidly and the fire front stretched up to 15 kilometers. Other hotspots were identified on the islands of Paros and Lesbos, as well as in the region of Trifylia on mainland Greece.
The situation is also severe in Turkey. A fire in Muğla province led to the closure of the highway between Fethiye and Antalya, and the evacuation of part of a hospital.
Spain, meanwhile, is engulfed by the fourth heatwave this summer. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the next 12 hours will be decisive for bringing under control the fire burning near Madrid.
In the province of Ávila, more than 43,000 hectares of land have been scorched. According to authorities, it is the largest recorded fire ever in Spain’s history. Despite this, the lifting of restrictions in some areas has allowed thousands of residents to begin returning to their homes.
The southwest of France also remains on alert. Officials have said that the thermometer could reach up to 41 degrees Celsius, and dry winds increase the possibility of fire hotspots reigniting. Security measures have been reinforced by authorities also to protect defense industry and aerospace facilities.
The European continent is experiencing one of its hottest summers in recent years. The European Climate Change Service “Copernicus” says that Europe is warming faster than any other continent in the world, increasing the risk of extreme heatwaves and fires with devastating consequences.
