Firefighters in Greece battled multiple wildfires on Wednesday, August 13, with blazes near the western city of Patras and on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos destroying homes, farms and factories, and forcing thousands to evacuate.
Since Tuesday, dozens of people have been hospitalised for smoke inhalation, while 13 firefighters have been treated for burns and injuries, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
Nearly 5,000 firefighters and 33 aircraft were deployed to tackle the flames, fanned by strong winds and hot, dry conditions, with temperatures reaching 34°C.
Near Patras, a wildfire swept through olive groves and forests, igniting a cement factory and disrupting rail traffic. “What it looks like? It looks like doomsday… May God help us,” said volunteer firefighter Giorgos Karavanis.
Authorities ordered evacuations in a town of 7,700 people and two nearby villages, while on Chios, the coast guard used boats to rescue residents as flames reached the shore.
The fires follow days of extreme heat across southern Europe, with Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Balkan nations also battling major blazes.
