On the Greek island of Lesbos, hundreds of locals and visitors have been evacuated after a wildfire started, threatening villages and destroying homes.
The Greek Fire Service stated in a televised briefing on Sunday that volunteers and water tankers sponsored by the local government were assisting 50 firefighters, 17 firetrucks, and nine firefighting aircraft in putting out the fire.
The blaze, which started on Saturday morning, has been burning close to Vatera, a well-known tourist spot on the island’s coast. Authorities said that one of the fire’s fronts appeared to be fading on Sunday.
Nine individuals were rescued from a beach close to Vatera, according to Greek national television ERT, and more than 450 people have been evacuated since Saturday to different areas of the island. Over 26 buildings have sustained damage as a result of the fire.
Greece has been severely affected by flames in recent days as Europe dealt with a heat wave that broke records and resulted in fires in France and Italy as well.
In other parts of the nation, 320 firemen with 68 firetrucks, six firefighting planes, and a wildfire in Greece’s Dadia National Park threatened the nests of a rare species of birds called the black vulture for the fourth day.
With predicted highs of 43 Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) and widespread fire alerts, Greece is currently facing a protracted heatwave.
