Fires continue to spread across the Mediterranean

Southern European countries continue to face the uncontrolled flames of the worst fires in recent years. Italian, Turkish and Greek citizens have been forced to flee their homes by land and sea as local authorities relentlessly fight the blaze. As a result, fatalities have already been reported in all three places. In Italy and Greece, two people have died in each country, including a Greek firefighter, while in Turkey the death toll stands at eight.

"In the last few days we have faced an unprecedented situation in our country," said Nikos Hardalias, head of civil protection. Greece has reported more than 150 active fires and six areas have been put on high alert. The fire is also threatening Athens, as smoke rises over the suburbs. Electrical installations in the capital, as well as the main road connecting to the north, were damaged by the fire.

In the southern Peloponnese region, dozens of villages were evacuated. Authorities managed to stop a fire before it reached the historic monuments of Olympia, the Associated Press reports. The critical situation has also affected the health situation resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Health has announced the suspension of vaccinations in centres in the areas most affected by the fire.

In addition to the fires, the Mediterranean country is suffering from a heat wave that is making it difficult for firefighters. Temperatures have soared above 40 degrees Celsius. "The fires show the reality of climate change," said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Countries such as France and the United States have sent personnel and planes to help fight the fires.

"We are talking about the apocalypse, I don't know how to describe it," Sotiris Danikas, head of the coast guard in Evia, told state broadcaster ERT. Residents and tourists on the Greek island have been evacuated on ferries and fishing boats as the fire approached the coast.

Another country in a critical situation is Italy. According to Coldiretti, the Italian farmers' federation, the country is facing three times the usual number of fires this summer. Like Greece, it is experiencing very high temperatures that are making the situation much worse. Environmental experts have warned of the destruction of biodiversity in Sardinia. At the moment, a large number of ancient olive groves on the island have been destroyed.

In Sicily, 150 people have been evacuated and the flames have reached Catania, where the local airport has temporarily suspended its activity. In the Pescara region, 800 people have been forced to leave their homes as the flames threaten the Pineta Dannuziana Nature Reserve. The Italian authorities have already arrested two people accused of starting a fire. According to Coldiretti, "at least 60% of forest fires in Italy are arson".

Turkey also continues to cope with the blaze, which has ravaged swathes of the southern coast for the past 10 days. Six villages in the Mugla region have been evacuated after the fire came close to a power plant. Fortunately, the fires near the tourist area of Marmaris were contained as were the two main fires in the neighbouring region of Antalya.

In addition to Italy, Turkey and Greece, other regions in the Balkans and southern Europe are suffering from fires. Northern Macedonia, for example, has declared a state of fire emergency. In other parts of the world, such as California or Siberia, this consequence of global warming is also affecting the local population and nature.