Turkey is facing its worst wildfire disaster in years, with 13 people killed and thousands of homes destroyed. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned of a “truly great disaster” after new fires broke out on the Mediterranean coast, forcing evacuations and deployment of aircraft to drop water.
Wildfires have also ravaged other parts of Europe, including Cyprus, where temperatures reached 43C (109F) this week. At least two people were found dead in their cars, and scores of homes were destroyed. Albania’s firefighters are battling a blaze in the mountainous forests near Elbasan.
The heatwave is attributed to human-caused climate change, which has led to above-average temperatures for this time of year. This is not an isolated incident, as 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era. Experts predict that wildfires will become more frequent due to climate change.
As a result, many areas in southern Europe are experiencing sweltering temperatures and drought-like conditions, with Greece’s iconic Acropolis forced to limit its hours due to the heat. However, relief is expected next week as temperatures are forecast to cool down to more usual levels.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/turkey-faces-truly-great-disaster-warns-erdogan-amid-raging-wildfires-and-sweltering-temperatures-across-europe-13401785