Wildfires Break Out Across Europe
Thousands Displaced as Record Heatwave Hits Italy and France
As the climate crisis emerges as a serious threat to human survival, Europe is suffering severe damage as the worst heatwave and wildfires spread across the continent, resulting in thousands of displaced people and a growing death toll. On August 12, Yonhap News, citing AFP and other sources, reported that southern France recorded its highest temperature ever, and that Europe is suffering from the heatwave, including the death of a child from heatstroke in Italy.
First, the French Meteorological Agency announced that the temperature reached a record high in all locations including Bordeaux, which recorded 41.6 degrees Celsius, as well as Bergerac, Cognac, and Saintes. AFP·Yonhap News
First, the French Meteorological Agency announced that all-time high temperatures were recorded in several locations, including Bordeaux, which reached 41.6 degrees Celsius, as well as Bergerac, Cognac, and Saintes. According to the agency, the heatwave in France is expected to continue until around August 19?20. On this day, a red alert for extreme heat was issued in 12 regions across France, and the alert is expected to be expanded to four additional regions on August 12. The record-breaking heat has also led to a series of wildfires and blazes in various areas.
Not only France but also Italy is suffering, with a red alert for extreme heat issued in seven major cities, including Bologna and Florence, and a four-year-old child dying from heatstroke. The child, who was from Romania, was found unconscious in the family’s car on the island of Sardinia, Italy, and reportedly died a few days later. Italian authorities expanded the red alert to 11 cities on August 12, and to 16 cities starting August 13. To make matters worse, a wildfire broke out on Mount Vesuvius, prompting the deployment of 190 firefighters and military personnel for containment efforts. The Vesuvius National Park has been closed due to the wildfire.
Wildfires Break Out Amid Severe Heatwave Across Europe
In Spain, the heatwave has pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius in many regions over the past week, resulting in wildfires breaking out in several areas. Thousands of residents have been evacuated as a result. The previous day, the Las Medulas archaeological site?a Roman-era gold mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site?in northern Spain’s Castilla y Leon region was damaged by wildfire, forcing the evacuation of about 700 nearby residents. Local authorities reported that high temperatures and strong winds blowing at 40 km/h are making firefighting efforts difficult. In the southern coastal city of Tarifa, a wildfire that had been contained on August 8 reignited, leading to the evacuation of more than 2,000 people from hotels and beaches.
In Portugal, firefighting authorities have been working to extinguish three large-scale wildfires in the central and northern regions. According to Albanian authorities, about 40 wildfires have occurred in the past 24 hours. AFP·Yonhap News
In Portugal, firefighting authorities have been working to contain three large wildfires in the central and northern regions. According to Albanian authorities, about 40 wildfires have occurred in the past 24 hours; most have been brought under control, but around 10 remain uncontained. In Montenegro, where temperatures have soared to 40 degrees Celsius, a wildfire broke out near the capital city of Podgorica.
In Croatia, about 150 firefighters worked through the night to contain a blaze near the port city of Split. In the northwestern Turkish province of Canakkale, which has experienced its hottest July since records began 55 years ago, multiple fires have forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people and sent 77 to hospital due to smoke inhalation. Several houses and vehicles were destroyed by fire, and more than 760 firefighters, 10 firefighting planes, and 9 helicopters were mobilized to battle the blazes.
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