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Wildfires rage in Greece as extreme heat persists | Wildfires rage in Greece as extreme heat persists |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greece firefighters battle to contain major wildfires across the country | Greece firefighters battle to contain major wildfires across the country |
Greece is continuing to battle five major wildfires across the country amid a severe heatwave, with extreme temperatures expected to persist. | Greece is continuing to battle five major wildfires across the country amid a severe heatwave, with extreme temperatures expected to persist. |
Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, as firefighters focus their efforts on two major fires on the islands of Kythira and Evia. | Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, as firefighters focus their efforts on two major fires on the islands of Kythira and Evia. |
Fire brigade spokesman Vasilios Vathrakoyannis said the situation had improved after an "all night battle", but warned that the risk of new fires on Sunday remained "extremely dangerous". | Fire brigade spokesman Vasilios Vathrakoyannis said the situation had improved after an "all night battle", but warned that the risk of new fires on Sunday remained "extremely dangerous". |
Meanwhile, neighbouring Turkey has recorded its highest ever temperature as fires raged in several regions. | Meanwhile, neighbouring Turkey has recorded its highest ever temperature as fires raged in several regions. |
Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond to a fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens | Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond to a fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens |
Greece's climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said: "We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed." | Greece's climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said: "We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed." |
High winds continued to fan the flames on Sunday. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six firefighting aircraft. | High winds continued to fan the flames on Sunday. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six firefighting aircraft. |
In Kythira, a blaze spread rapidly after breaking out on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades. According to initial estimates, about 20% of the island has been affected by the fire. | In Kythira, a blaze spread rapidly after breaking out on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades. According to initial estimates, about 20% of the island has been affected by the fire. |
New evacuation alerts were issued on Sunday ordering residents of several villages to leave. | New evacuation alerts were issued on Sunday ordering residents of several villages to leave. |
By dawn, firefighters were still tackling flare-ups, supported by helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft. | By dawn, firefighters were still tackling flare-ups, supported by helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft. |
On the island of Evia, officials said a blaze near Pissona had got "out of control" on Saturday. Six firefighters were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, while several villages were left without power. | On the island of Evia, officials said a blaze near Pissona had got "out of control" on Saturday. Six firefighters were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, while several villages were left without power. |
Local authorities said there were signs of improvement on Sunday, but a significant risk of flare-ups remained due to strong winds. | Local authorities said there were signs of improvement on Sunday, but a significant risk of flare-ups remained due to strong winds. |
In Messinia, a third wildfire broke out in the Polithea area of Trifylia on Saturday morning and intensified later in the day. Officials reported significant damage to homes and agricultural land. | In Messinia, a third wildfire broke out in the Polithea area of Trifylia on Saturday morning and intensified later in the day. Officials reported significant damage to homes and agricultural land. |
On Sunday, Vathrakoyannis said 67 firefighters were attending the Kythira fire and 100 were in Messinia, where an active front remained. | On Sunday, Vathrakoyannis said 67 firefighters were attending the Kythira fire and 100 were in Messinia, where an active front remained. |
In Attica, the region where Athens is, a fire that started in Afidnes on Saturday spread rapidly through Drosopigi, Kryoneri and Agios Stefanos, forcing residents to flee. | In Attica, the region where Athens is, a fire that started in Afidnes on Saturday spread rapidly through Drosopigi, Kryoneri and Agios Stefanos, forcing residents to flee. |
While the fire service says the main front has been contained, scattered hotspots continue to burn. | While the fire service says the main front has been contained, scattered hotspots continue to burn. |
The smell of burning wood carried as far as central Athens, as Greece requested European Union assistance to fight the spreading blaze. | The smell of burning wood carried as far as central Athens, as Greece requested European Union assistance to fight the spreading blaze. |
Meanwhile, in Crete's Chania region, firefighters are battling a 20km wildfire front that has swept through forest land, beehives, crops and livestock. | Meanwhile, in Crete's Chania region, firefighters are battling a 20km wildfire front that has swept through forest land, beehives, crops and livestock. |
Strong southwesterly winds are complicating efforts to contain flare-ups, while several villages remain without electricity. | Strong southwesterly winds are complicating efforts to contain flare-ups, while several villages remain without electricity. |
Last month, fires on Greece's fifth-biggest island Chios, in the northern Aegean, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) of land. | Last month, fires on Greece's fifth-biggest island Chios, in the northern Aegean, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) of land. |
Earlier in July, a wildfire on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists. | Earlier in July, a wildfire on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists. |
On Saturday, Turkey's environment ministry said meteorologists had recorded a reading of 50.5C in the south-eastern city of Silopi, surpassing the previous heat record of 49.5C. | On Saturday, Turkey's environment ministry said meteorologists had recorded a reading of 50.5C in the south-eastern city of Silopi, surpassing the previous heat record of 49.5C. |
Firefighters have faced a four-day battle to contain a fire in the northern Karabuk province, AFP news agency reported on Sunday. On Wednesday, ten people died fighting a fire in Eskisehir, a province in the north-west, it added. | Firefighters have faced a four-day battle to contain a fire in the northern Karabuk province, AFP news agency reported on Sunday. On Wednesday, ten people died fighting a fire in Eskisehir, a province in the north-west, it added. |
Some local authorities have announced restrictions on water consumption, including for the resort of Cesme on Turkey's west coast. | Some local authorities have announced restrictions on water consumption, including for the resort of Cesme on Turkey's west coast. |
Have you been affected by the wildfires in Greece? Please get in touch here. | Have you been affected by the wildfires in Greece? Please get in touch here. |
You can also get in touch in the following ways: | |
Email: bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk | |
WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 |