Winds of Destruction Sweep Through Europe’s Scorching Heatwave

A scorching heatwave that has gripped continental Europe has brought widespread devastation, with 18 bodies found in a remote area of north-east Greece where firefighters are battling a major wildfire. The discovery brings the overall toll from this week’s fires in Greece to 20, after the body of another person thought to be a migrant was found in the same area on Monday.

The wildfire, which has been burning for four days, has forced the evacuation of numerous villages, with officials warning of a “massive wall of flames” racing through forests towards the city of Alexandroupolis. The port city’s hospital was closed due to the airborne smoke and ash, with its patients evacuated to a ferry and other hospitals in northern Greece.

The fire service spokesperson, Ioannis Artopios, suggested that the victims may have been migrants who entered the country from Turkey, as no reports of missing people had been filed in the area. The discovery of the bodies has sparked a massive disaster victim identification effort, with a team working to determine the identities of the deceased.

The heatwave has also sparked numerous fires across Greece, with dozens of outbreaks threatening widespread destruction. Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blazes, with international help arriving through the European Union’s civil protection mechanism.

In addition to Greece, other European countries are also grappling with the devastating effects of the heatwave. Italy has evacuated 700 people from homes and a campsite on the island of Elba after a fire broke out, while Spain is battling a wildfire that has forced 12,000 people to evacuate. In France, authorities have urged mountaineers to delay scaling the summit of Mont Blanc due to the extreme heat and risk of rockfalls.

The heatwave, which has brought temperatures above 41C (106F) in some areas, has also prompted civil protection officials to describe the fire risk as “extreme.” Gale-force winds and sweltering temperatures have created a perfect storm for wildfires, with officials warning that the situation is similar to July’s deadly wave of forest fires in Greece.

As the heatwave continues to grip Europe, authorities are urging caution and urging the public to stay indoors and follow evacuation orders. The heatwave, which has been brought on by a “heat dome” weather system, is expected to continue for the coming days, with the full extent of the damage only beginning to emerge.