As wildfires ravage Greece, the death toll continues to rise, with 18 people found burned to death in a forest in northeast Greece. Authorities are now investigating the possibility that these victims may have been migrants. The fires, which began over the weekend, have spread rapidly, leading to the evacuation of not only the hospital in Alexandroupolis but also eight surrounding villages.
This summer has seen a series of extreme weather events across the globe, from wildfires in Canada to flooding and violent storms in Europe. The increasing intensity of these events has been attributed to global warming, with July marking the hottest month ever recorded.
The situation in Greece remains dire, with the fires showing no signs of abating. A fire in Aspropirgos, a suburb northwest of Athens, prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for three areas. Traffic on a main highway in the capital has also been halted. In Fili, a small municipality in the foothills of Parnitha mountain, another fire broke out, leading to the evacuation of residents as homes were consumed by the flames. In total, Greece is currently battling around 10 wildfires.
The challenges are set to continue as temperatures are predicted to reach a scorching 40C (104F) on Tuesday, with strong winds persisting for another day. The regions of Athens, Viotia, Evia, and three other areas are currently on "extreme" high alert for fire, with access to forests and mountains prohibited until Wednesday morning. These measures are in place to try and prevent further devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires.