TOURISTS TRAPPED AS MEDITERRANEAN WILDFIRES CAUSE HAVOC

While wildfires are common in Turkey during the summer, a recent heatwave accompanied by strong winds has created havoc in the Mediterranean this year.

Popular tourist spots in Turkey, Italy and Greece have had to be evacuated.

In Turkey, more than 100 fires broke out this week as temperatures reached above 40 degrees Celsius. Along the coast, tourists at beach resorts were rescued by smaller boats, some of them even private yachts.

The coast guard and the navy are on standby to assist if a large-scale rescue effort is needed.

The Independent reports that in Greece, nearly 300 firefighters fought through the night to contain the fire early on Sunday, which burned through pine and olive trees, and damaged a number of homes and beach settlements.

The fire spread across the highway connecting Athens to Patras, causing major alarm for locals.

The European Union has sent water-carrying planes to Turkey arriving from Croatia and Spain. Planes carrying massive amounts of water have also been sent from other countries including Iran, Ukraine, Russia and Azerbaijan.

So far eight people have been reported dead due to the wildfires. It is estimated that a large number of animals have already died and that thousands have lost their homes and businesses.

Image credit: Sky News