Hundreds escape Greek wildfire by sea as blazes continue across Europe
Hundreds of tourists and residents are being evacuated by sea in Greece as wildfires spread across the country due to extreme heat. Similar blazes are impacting other European nations, including Portugal and Spain, as climate change increases the frequency of these conditions.
Why it matters
The increasing frequency of extreme wildfires in Europe highlights the escalating impact of climate change on global tourism and public safety.
Image source, Greek fire service By Aleks Phillips Published 34 minutes ago Hundreds of people in central Greece are being evacuated by sea after the coastal town they were in became hemmed in by one of the many wildfires raging across the country.
Around 500 people, mostly tourists, were left stranded after the fire broke out near Agios Vasileios in Viotia on Friday morning and rapidly spread on strong winds, local media report.
Another fire has broken out further along the coast, while firefighters continue to battle a large wildfire on the Greek island of Crete that ignited earlier this week.
Greece is one of several European nations suffering devastating wildfires after a succession of heatwaves created favourable conditions for them.
Firefighters in Portugal and Spain are still tackling blazes spanning thousands of hectares, with a new heatwave this week raising the risk of a massive fire near Madrid reigniting.
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