Wildfires Devastate Greece and Turkey, Temperatures Hit 50°C, 13 Dead
One of the worst climate disasters in decades strikes the Eastern Mediterranean as relentless wildfires, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, consume entire regions.
TwitterA deadly wave of wildfires is ravaging Greece and Turkey amid an unprecedented heatwave gripping the Eastern Mediterranean. Authorities report that this is among the most extreme climate events the region has faced in decades, with temperatures surpassing 45°C and nearing 50°C in some areas.
In Turkey, wildfires have erupted in at least six provinces, with a massive blaze centered in Izmir, a key city on the Aegean coast. The fires have forced the emergency evacuation of more than 50,000 people from over 40 towns and villages. Thick smoke has grounded flights at Adnan Menderes Airport, while two provinces have been officially declared disaster zones.
The death toll in Turkey has climbed to at least 13, including ten firefighters who perished while attempting to contain infernos raging through forested areas. Local authorities describe widespread destruction to homes, power lines, and critical infrastructure.
Greece is facing a similarly dire situation. Fires broke out in the northern suburbs of Athens, forcing hundreds of families to flee. Fire lines crept dangerously close to residential neighborhoods, while firefighting units battled multiple fronts simultaneously. Aerial firefighting units and European Union rescue teams have been deployed. On Crete, over 5,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from southern Ierapetra, with harrowing scenes showing crowds awaiting rescue boats through thick clouds of smoke. Residents report suffocating air quality, prolonged power outages, and a sense of chaos.
Governments in both countries have declared regional states of emergency. Firefighting reinforcements have arrived from Romania, France, Italy, and Israel to help suppress the flames. Meteorologists warn that extreme weather conditions will persist through the weekend, threatening further escalation of the disaster.
Environmental organizations and climate scientists have labeled the current fires a "direct consequence of climate change," warning that this summer could mark the beginning of a devastating new era for the region.
Public criticism is mounting in both nations over perceived failures in preparedness and emergency response. Residents of Izmir voiced anger at the lack of early warnings and inadequate firefighting infrastructure. "The fire was already at our door, and nobody came to warn us. We ran with nothing," one mother told local media. Izmir's mayor vowed to launch an independent investigation into systemic failures.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces, avoid open areas, and comply with emergency orders. Schools and public buildings have been converted into temporary shelters for evacuees.
The full scale of the damage is still being assessed, but early estimates suggest that thousands of homes have been destroyed, entire forests reduced to ash, and tens of thousands left homeless or displaced. European leaders are closely monitoring the unfolding disaster, as the Eastern Mediterranean grapples with one of the most severe summers in modern history.