Breaking News: Wildfires in Southern Europe
Two Greek firefighters have died while battling a wildfire in the Rethymno area of Crete. The blaze intensified due to strong winds, leading to the evacuation of several nearby villages.
In Turkey, a fire in Muğla province forced the closure of the main highway between Fethiye and Antalya. Part of a local hospital was also evacuated due to safety concerns.
Spain and France are experiencing a fourth heatwave this summer. Firefighters are working to control major wildfires that had recently been contained.
Witnesses reported that multiple fires erupted on Crete, with one front spreading up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). The deceased firefighters were operating near Rethymno.
Additional wildfires have been reported in Greece on the islands of Paros and Lesbos, as well as in the southern town of Trifylia.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the next 12 hours will be critical for extinguishing a wildfire near Madrid. Over 43,000 hectares (108,000 acres) have burned in Burgohondo, marking it as the largest wildfire in Spanish history. This year, wildfires in Spain have consumed over 207,000 hectares in total.
