Greece battles wildfires as heatwave sweeps across southern Europe

2025-08-15 07:58:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Firefighters are battling 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. Some 4,850 firefighters are engaged in a battle to put out the flames.

At least three people have died in Spain, Albania and Turkey, while dozens more, including firefighters, have been taken to hospitals due to smoke inhalation and burns.

Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in several places 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 through the city of Patras overnight, destroying homes, businesses and vehicles.

In Zante, three separate fire fronts spanning more than 15 km (9 miles) remain uncontrolled. Damage has been reported to homes, tourist facilities and agricultural land.

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

Rescue boats have evacuated beachgoers trapped by the 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 northwestern province of León. A volunteer firefighter died in the same area.

An employee of an equestrian center also died after suffering severe burns in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, where winds of more than 70 km/h (43 mph) caused flames near homes, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate.

The Spanish government has increased its level of response to national emergencies.

"We are in extreme danger from forest fires. Please be very careful," said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Elsewhere in Europe, heat alerts remain in place in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Balkans, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in some regions.

Slovenia reported its warmest night ever, with temperatures in one port not falling below 28 degrees Celsius.

A child died of heatstroke in Italy on Monday, where temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius later this week. Red heat alerts were in place for at least 10 Italian cities, including Rome, Milan and Florence.

A four-year-old Romanian boy who was found unconscious in a car in Sardinia was airlifted to a hospital in Rome but died of irreversible brain damage, said to be caused by heatstroke, medical authorities told AFP.

France's Health Minister, Catherine Vautrin, said hospitals were prepared for the consequences of the second heat wave that has hit the country in just a few weeks.

In Montenegro, one soldier died and another was seriously injured when their water tanker overturned while battling flames in the hills north of the capital, Podgorica.

In Portugal, firefighters battled three major fires, including a huge blaze in Trancoso, in the center of the country.

Turkey has brought several major fires under control, including those in Canakkale and Izmir, after hundreds of people were evacuated and the Dardanelles Strait and Canakkale airport were closed.

Parts of the United Kingdom are experiencing the fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius and amber and yellow heat health alerts in place for all of England.

Two grass fires broke out in the capital on Tuesday, one in Ealing and another in Wanstead Flats, burning more than 17 hectares of land together.

Scientists warn that global warming is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, fueling longer and more intense fire seasons./ CNA