Mediterranean countries hit by record heat and wildfires

In the coming days, an abnormal heat above 40 ° C will continue in Italy, Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. Fires continue to rage, the death toll from them in Turkey has reached 5 people. Deutsche Welle tells how different countries are going through this difficult period.

Turkish agency Anadolu reports five deaths from extensive fires. Two bulldozer drivers fighting with fire were killed in the area of ​​the resort town of Manavgat in Antalya province. On the same day, 2 more districts were evacuated there, as the fire came close to the houses and some of them began to burn. Dozens of houses burned down, villages evacuated Fire comes close to residential areas and hotels. A young 25-year-old volunteer who came to Marmaris to participate in extinguishing the fire died,

Source: https://rua.gr/news/european-news/42913-turtsiya-prodolzhayut-bushevat-pozhary-chislo-pogibshikh-uvelichilos-do-chetyrekh.html

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on the Telegram channel: “We will continue to take all necessary steps to heal the wounds of our nation and repair the damage.” He declared a disaster zone in the provinces of Antalya, Adana, Mersin, Mugla and Osmaniye affected by fires. The most difficult situation has developed in the resort area of ​​the Mediterranean coast of the country. Hotel guests and residents of settlements were evacuated. Strong winds interfere with the fight against fires. The reasons for the large-scale fire have not yet been established, but the authorities do not rule out arson, working out other versions as well.

Forest fires in Turkey began on July 28 – first near the resort Manavgat in the south, then in Aydin and Muglu, then in other regions. The first fire broke out Wednesday in a forest in Manavgat, Antalya province, and spread rapidly with the help of strong winds. The authorities began evacuating the villages, and a hotel in tourist Bodrum was also evacuated. Thick smoke covered the sky over the hotel complex in Manavgat. At least 183 people were hospitalized – three with burns, the rest with respiratory problems due to smoke. Emergency services rescued 10 people from a trap in a floating lake surrounded by flames.

The fire affected the popular resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum. Erdogan says that all possible forces are thrown into the fight against the disaster, 1,100 pieces of equipment are involved. Other countries are also helping by sending equipment to extinguish the fire. The Russian government has decided to send “a consolidated air group of the Ministry of Defense in the amount of 11 pieces of equipment”, three Be-200 amphibious aircraft of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation are already operating in the Antalya region.

Violent fires are raging in Sicily, near the city of Catania. The Coast Guard in the area rescued 170 people in boats trying to hide from the beach fire. Over the past day, Italian firefighters have carried out about 800 operations to extinguish forest fires.

Nello Muzumechi, Governor of Sicily, reports severe damage following wildfires blamed on heat waves and arsonists. Hot weather is expected to continue in the region until around August 6. Muzumechi announced his request to Prime Minister Mario Draghi to announce the mobilization of the national civil protection service.

In Greece, the heat not only breaks all records, but also rises higher. A further rise in temperature to 46 ° C is expected. The Civil Protection Department held an emergency meeting and made a decision, on the eve of emergency situations, to bring the services to full readiness. Additional tents and air-conditioned containers have been set up in the migrant and refugee camps. In Greek cities, special air-conditioned rooms have been opened to save residents from the abnormal heat. The Labor Department has called for the reduction of outdoor work to a minimum. Dozens of wildfires have engulfed the country.

Scientists are concerned about how quickly the climate crisis has exacerbated extreme weather conditions. Until recently, climate change was spoken of as a threat to the future. Remote places such as the Arctic, where polar bears run out of sea ice for hunting, have been imagined. Rising sea levels and severe drought were challenges for the developing world. But in the last month, developed countries have been at the forefront.

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