As the European heatwave rages on, wildfires are continuing to break out across many parts of the continent.
Thousands of people were evacuated following the Corfu and Rhodes wildfires in July, and now more areas of Greece are being engulfed by flames due to another round of extreme heat. A fire is currently blazing in the region around Alexandroupolis, close to Greece’s north-eastern Turkish border. At least 18 people have died as a result of the fire.
July this year was the hottest month on record, and though Greece is prone to experiencing wildfires, they have become ever more likely and intense due to the climate crisis.
Here is everything we know about the current blaze near Alexandroupolis.
Where are the wildfires in Greece?
The fire began in the major port of Alexandroupolis at the weekend. Eight villages have been evacuated, and 18 bodies were discovered in the Avanta area of the region on Tuesday (August 22), thought to be migrants who had entered from Turkey. This is in addition to another casualty.
The blaze has been tackled by more than 200 firefighters, 16 water-dropping aircrafts, police and volunteers. It has already destroyed several homes, and sections of a major highway near Alexandroupolis, the main affected area, have been closed.
This morning, the fire reached the grounds of the Alexandroupolis university hospital, and 115 patients were evacuated in a fleet of ambulances.
The island of Evia and Boeotia in central Greece are also tackling wildfires, and people have fled several nearby villages.
Authorities announced Athens was at 'extreme' risk, before a fire broke out at a landfill site in Aspropygros, which is close to the capital.
Can I still travel to Greece?
Travelling to Greece is not officially advised against, but travellers are encouraged to check with their travel and accommodation provider to see if their holiday has been affected.
What started the new fires in Greece?
A dangerous combination of temperatures as high as 41C and continuous strong winds have caused this bout of wildfires.
Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel?
Travellers are encouraged to contact their travel and insurance providers directly to find out about refunds. Unless you are travelling to an area directly affected, a refund is unlikely. Greece recently announced that those who fled Rhodes because of the wildfires will be able to return for free next year.
What’s the latest UK Foreign Office advice?
The UK Foreign Office website advises that you should take care when visiting or travelling through woodland areas, not light barbeques, and ensure cigarettes are properly extinguished. It also suggests following 112 Greece on Twitter for up to date information.
Where else in Europe has been affected by wildfires?
Multiple destinations in Europe have been affected by extreme temperatures and wildfires this summer. Greek islands including Corfu and Rhodes have been affected, as well as Tenerife, Portugal, and Sicily. The prolonged high temperatures are considered a direct result of climate change. Canada and Hawaii have also experienced extreme wildfires.
Here’s our explainer on the European heatwave.
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