At least 3 dead, thousands displaced as wildfires rage across southern Europe
Athens (Greece), Aug 13 (AP) Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday after a nightlong battle to protect the perimeter of Greece's third-largest city, with at least three more deaths reported in Spain, Turkiye and Albania.
Outside the Greek port city of Patras, firefighters struggled to protect homes and agricultural facilities as flames tore through olive groves.
As water-dropping planes and helicopters swooped overhead, residents joined the effort, beating back flames with cut branches or dousing them with buckets of water.
Firefighting resources were stretched thin in many affected countries as they battled multiple outbreaks following weeks of heat waves and temperature spikes across Mediterranean Europe.
Aircraft rotated between blazes on the western Greek mainland, the Patras area and the island of Zakynthos. Athens also sent assistance to neighbouring Albania, joining an international effort to combat dozens of wildfires. An 80-year-old man died in one blaze south of the capital, Tirana, officials said Wednesday.
Residents of four villages were evacuated in central Albania near a former army ammunition depot. In the southern Korca district, near the Greek border, explosions were reported from buried World War II-era artillery shells.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed condolences after the death of a firefighting volunteer in the hard-hit Castile and Leon region north of Madrid, where thousands have been displaced by evacuations.
The government raised its national emergency response level, preparing additional support for regional authorities overseeing multiple evacuations and highway closures.
A forestry worker was also killed on Wednesday while responding to a wildfire in southern Turkiye, officials said. The Forestry Ministry said the worker died in an accident involving a fire truck that left four others injured.
Turkiye has been battling severe wildfires since late June. A total of 18 people have been killed, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers who died in July. (AP) SKS GRS GRS
view comments
First Published:
August 13, 2025, 15:45 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Southern Europe wildfires: 3 killed, thousands evacuated in Greece, Spain, Turkey, Albania; EU sends aid
Wildfire in Greece (AP photo) Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday, killing at least three people and forcing thousands to evacuate homes in Greece, Spain, Turkey and Albania. In Greece, firefighters worked through the night to protect the port city of Patras, the country's third-largest city. Flames swept through pine forests and olive groves, burning houses, agricultural sites and dozens of vehicles. The fire service said the risk of more fires remained 'very high' in several regions. At least 15 firefighters were injured or treated for burns, smoke inhalation and exhaustion. Residents joined the firefighting effort, using buckets of water and tree branches to beat down flames. Aircraft dropped water over the affected areas. Weeks of heatwaves have stretched firefighting resources across Greece and its neighbours. On the Greek island of Chios, exhausted firefighters were seen sleeping on the roadside after overnight shifts. In Albania, an 80-year-old man died in a fire south of Tirana. Villages in central Albania were evacuated, and explosions were reported in the Korca district due to buried World War II-era shells. Dozens of homes were destroyed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain (Search Now) Knee Pain Treatment | Search Ads Undo Wildfires rage across southern Europe | BBC News In Spain, a firefighting volunteer died in the Castile and Leon region, where thousands have been displaced. Some evacuees spent the night outdoors. Fires disrupted high-speed rail services between Madrid and Galicia. In Turkey, a forestry worker was killed and four others were injured when a fire truck crashed while responding to a blaze. Turkey has been battling wildfires since late June, with 18 deaths reported so far. France which is recovering from massive recent fires in the southern regions, faced another day of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 42°C. Authorities restricted public events in high-risk areas. Officials across the region cited lightning storms, farming activities, faulty power lines and arson as possible causes. The European Union has sent ground teams and aircraft to help, including in Montenegro, where large fires continue to burn near the capital, Podgorica.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Himachal Pradesh flash floods: Army rescues four stranded civilians in Kinnaur
Last Updated: Shimla, Aug 14 (PTI) The Army rescued four people, including one injured, after flash floods hit parts of Himachal Pradesh, an official statement issued on Thursday said. The flash floods triggered by a cloudburst hit the higher reaches of Rishi Dogri valley in Kinnaur district on Wednesday evening and the bridge across the Sutlej river was inundated. The site was an active road construction zone under CPWD towards Gangthang Bralam, the Army said. On receiving an urgent request from the superintendent of police, Kinnaur, the Army immediately mobilised a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column. Braving darkness, fast currents and unstable terrain, the team reached the location and discovered four civilians stranded on the far bank of the river, the statement said. Working with precision under challenging conditions, the HADR team illuminated the general area to aid night rescue operations and guided the stranded civilians to higher and safer places. The team also evacuated the injured individual and admitted him to Regional Hospital, Reckong Peo, it said. The Army said new generation equipment, including the Logistics Drone High Altitude (LDHA) system, was used to ferry essential items, such as eatables and coconut water, across the floodwaters to help sustain the stranded individuals through the night. It said the rescued civilians were taken to the Army camp in Pooh. Plans are in place to bring the stranded individuals back to the home bank once the water recedes. PTI BPL DIV DIV (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 09:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Tropical Storm Erin set to intensify into Hurricane - Check path, landfall location, weather forecast
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they expect it to be an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with up to 18 total named storms by the time the it ends in November. A typical season has 14 named storms. This image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Tropical Storm Erin on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. (NOAA via AP) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs There was cautious relief Wednesday as the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center showed a clearer picture of the path Tropical Storm Erin is expected to take over the next few days. By Friday, the storm is expected to intensify into the Atlantic season's first hurricane of the year and to pass north of the Caribbean Islands this weekend. But the models forecasters use to predict where a storm goes are starting to suggest it is likely to curve away from the East Coast of the United States early next remain cautious that the storm's trajectory could still warning or watches have been issued, but swells, which can produce dangerous rip currents, are expected to affect the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by the at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they expect it to be an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with up to 18 total named storms by the time the it ends in November. A typical season has 14 named Trump administration has slashed the number of employees at many of the agencies traditionally responsible for planning for and responding to natural disasters, including NOAA, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. So far, it is unclear how those cuts might affect the accuracy of forecasts. The weather service may begin hiring again soon.A1. A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone—a powerful storm system that forms over warm ocean waters, typically in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific.A2. Hurricanes develop when warm, moist air rises from the ocean surface, creating low pressure beneath. As this air continues to rise and cool, it forms clouds and thunderstorms. If conditions are right (including low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures), the system can grow into a hurricane with sustained winds of at least 74 mph (119 km/h).
