Mediterranean countries "struggling" to cope with scorching summer sun and widespread forest fires

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 Greek island of Rhodes. (Source: Reuters)

The North African country of Algeria is battling devastating wildfires that have killed at least 34 people. The spreading flames 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 put out 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 south of the island of Rhodes in recent days.

According to figures from the Greek Ministry of Transport , 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 "hard blow" to the tourism industry - one of the pillars contributing 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounting for a fifth of jobs in the Greek economy.

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.

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

Forest fires also swept across Portugal and Spain's Gran Canaria region. Dozens of firefighters used aircraft to extinguish a forest fire that broke out near Nice 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 in Europe, exposing serious gaps in how countries cope with hot weather conditions.

Source