Mediterranean countries struggle with scorching summer sun and widespread wildfires

The Mediterranean region is experiencing a record heatwave, with raging wildfires threatening villages and resorts, forcing thousands to evacuate.

Các quốc gia Địa Trung Hải 'oằn mình' chống chọi với nắng Hè thiêu đốt và cháy rừng lan rộng

A firefighter works to extinguish a forest fire in a village on the island of Rhodes, Greece. (Source: Reuters)

The North African country of Algeria is battling devastating wildfires that have killed at least 34 people. The spreading fires and strong winds have forced the closure of two border crossings with neighboring Tunisia.

Wildfires also broke out in the countryside around Syria’s Mediterranean port city of Latakia, with the city’s authorities using military helicopters to extinguish the blazes.

Greece has also been particularly hard hit by the wildfires, with authorities evacuating more than 20,000 people from homes and resorts in the southern island of Rhodes in recent days.

According to figures from the Greek Transport Ministry , as of July 25, nearly 3,000 tourists had returned home by plane and tour operators were forced to cancel upcoming trips. The wildfires have dealt a "heavy blow" to the tourism industry - one of the pillars of the Greek economy, contributing 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for a fifth of jobs.

Meanwhile, Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the extreme heat in Europe, is struggling to cope with 10 fires in the south of the country, including in Sicily, Calabria, Abruzzo and Puglia. More than 2,000 people were evacuated from three hotels in Puglia on the evening of July 25.

A 98-year-old man died at home when a fire spread to his house in the coastal city of Reggio Calabria, southern Italy, according to ANSA . In Palermo, Sicily, two other elderly people in their 70s were found burned to death in their home. Another 88-year-old woman died when an ambulance was unable to reach her in time due to the fire.

Wildfires also swept across Portugal and Spain's Gran Canaria region. Dozens of firefighters used aircraft to extinguish a wildfire that broke out near Nice's international airport in southern France.

According to scientists , the extremely high temperatures in the Mediterranean region at this time are considered a "silent killer" as they have a serious impact on the health of people such as the elderly and those with underlying diseases.

Last year, up to 61,000 people may have died in severe heatwaves across Europe, exposing serious gaps in how countries cope with hot weather conditions.

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