Status: 07/30/2021 4:15 p.m.
The fire brigade has been in action in Turkey for days – inland and in holiday regions on the coast. There is also a fire in Italy. Greece suffers from extreme heat. Temperatures of up to 45 degrees are expected there.
Some holiday countries in the south are struggling with extreme heat, drought and fires. Turkey, Italy and Greece are particularly affected.
Numerous fires in Turkey
In Turkey, numerous fires have broken out since Wednesday in various places on the Mediterranean coast, which is popular with tourists. According to Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish President’s communications director, there were a total of 63 fires by morning, others speak of 71 fires.
On TV pictures, meter high flames, dark clouds and charred landscapes could be seen. The fires raged particularly badly in the Manavgat and Akseki area in the province of Antalya, where strong winds drove the flames towards inhabited areas on Wednesday. According to official information, four people have been killed by the fires. Numerous people were injured, including a German. Many households were and are without electricity.
Fires, which usually occur over a long period in number, broke out within two days, said Bekir Pakdemirli, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. The investigation into the causes of the fire continues, he said. Unfortunately, there is a lot of speculation on the net. There were suspicions on social media that the number and extent of the fires suggested that the attacks were targeted. This possibility is also being investigated, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu said three people had so far been arrested in connection with the devastating fires.
There is also good news: 57 of the 71 fires have now been contained or extinguished, Pakdemirli said. The situation improves with all fires that are still active.
Many places on the Mediterranean are also affected – like Marmaris here.
Image: EPA
Fires in Sardinia and Sicily
On the Italian island of Sicily, the fire brigade also fought against forest fires south of Palermo at night. The civil protection authority predicted the highest fire risk level for almost all provinces of the island today. Temperatures in Sicily are currently well over 30 degrees Celsius. In addition to the heat, drought favors the fires.
Other parts of Italy are also affected by fires, such as the west of the island of Sardinia. There the flames caused enormous damage in the past few days. On the mainland, the fire brigade claims to have been deployed on numerous missions due to bush and forest fires in southern Italy.
Forest fire in Sicily …
Image: via REUTERS
Extreme heat in Greece
In Greece, a heat wave that has been going on since the beginning of the week is reaching its peak. At the weekend it should be around 40 degrees. In the coming week it will be even more extreme: Meteorologists are expecting temperatures in central Greece of up to 45 degrees. At night, the values in the metropolitan areas will not fall below 30 degrees.
This heat wave is one of the longest in decades, said weather experts on state television. The temperatures should therefore only fall below 40 degrees during the day after August 8th.
The civil defense ordered that outdoor work be stopped or reduced as much as possible. Cities have opened air-conditioned halls for people who do not have air conditioning at home to find refuge in.
Doctors advised residents and tourists not to linger in the blazing sun and not to drink alcohol. You should shower more often and wear light, loose cotton clothing.
Refreshment against the heat – like here in Athens.
Image: AFP