A fierce heatwave continues to engulf southern Europe, with Greece's city of Patras now under severe threat as raging wildfires spread across the region. Intense winds and soaring temperatures, reaching up to 38C, have fueled rapid fire movements, prompting urgent evacuations that included a children’s hospital in the area.
In the last 48 hours, nearly 10,000 hectares of land in Achaia have been engulfed in flames, leading to the destruction of entire villages and hundreds of vehicles, including over 500 at a customs yard. As streets in Patras fell silent and residents watched in fear, authorities issued evacuation orders for nearby towns, impacting a population of 7,700 as smoke blanketed the city and triggered respiratory issues among some residents.
The Greek government has called for assistance from the European Union, requesting water bombers to aid the 4,800 firefighters battling more than 20 active wildfires across the country. The escalating crisis comes as multiple nations in southern Europe, including Portugal and Spain, face similar threats, leading to the deployment of thousands of firefighters.
In Spain, a civilian and a volunteer firefighter lost their lives amidst the ongoing wave of extreme heat, with temperatures peaking at 45C. Meanwhile, fires in regions like Castile and León sparked political tensions as remarks about government officials vacationing during the crisis drew public outrage.
As wildfires continue to ravage parts of Europe, meteorologists warn that such extreme weather conditions are becoming more prevalent due to the impacts of climate change. With Italy and Albania also battling wildfires under similarly extreme conditions, public safety remains a pressing concern across the continent as communities face an uncertain future amid environmental upheaval.
