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Wildfires raged on Thursday near Athens and on the Greek island of Crete, prompting mass evacuations from tourist areas, while deadly blazes swept through parts of western Turkey. In both countries, intense heat, strong winds, and low humidity created dangerous conditions, with thousands of residents and vacationers forced to flee as flames spread rapidly.
I. Devastating Wildfires in Greece
1. Mass Evacuations on Crete
On Crete’s southern coast, over 5,000 people—including tourists, hotel staff, and locals—were evacuated from the Ierapetra region, according to authorities and hotel association representatives. A handful of individuals sought refuge in the sea and were saved by local divers and fishermen.
2. Damage and Relief Efforts
Ierapetra’s mayor, Manolis Frangoulis, said emergency crews were attempting to stabilize the situation by using a break in the strong winds to their advantage. He added that, fortunately, there were no injuries, though several buildings sustained damage. Evacuees were sheltered in an indoor basketball arena, and volunteers discovered livestock that had died, some tragically trapped and burned inside barns.
II. Wildfire Impact Near Athens
1. Fires Disrupt Transport and Communities
Near the port town of Rafina, roughly 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of Athens, another wildfire caused significant disruptions. Ferry routes were affected, and police conducted door-to-door evacuations to assist elderly residents under threat from the approaching flames.
III. Deadly Fires in Turkey
1. Lives Lost and Ongoing Threats
In western Turkey, the fires turned deadly. A forestry worker died while trying to control a blaze near the town of Odemis, and an 81-year-old local succumbed to smoke inhalation. These were the first fatalities in a wave of wildfires that have displaced thousands of people.
2. Flames Approach Vacation Hotspots
Near the coastal town of Cesme, about 190 kilometers (120 miles) west of Odemis, authorities dispatched hundreds of firefighters and aerial units to contain an aggressive wildfire. The blaze began on Wednesday, forcing evacuations in three neighborhoods and prompting road closures. Footage showed the fire engulfing dry brush on both sides of a major highway.
3. Scope and Damage
Turkey has faced hundreds of fires over the past week, driven by scorching temperatures, gusty winds, and dry air. While most have been brought under control, the fires have damaged or destroyed around 200 homes.
IV. The Role of Climate Change
1. Regional Vulnerability
Experts emphasize that Greece and Turkey are especially susceptible to wildfires during the summer months, and climate change is intensifying the situation. Rising temperatures and prolonged dry periods are making wildfires more frequent and destructive across the region.
2. Turkey’s Climate Law
In response to escalating environmental challenges, Turkey’s parliament passed a significant climate bill late Wednesday. The new law targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2053 and includes provisions to create a carbon market board aimed at curbing greenhouse gas output.
3. Growing Climate Risks
Environmental analysts note that Turkey is facing increasing consequences from climate change, including extreme heatwaves and droughts. According to Gizem Koc, a legal expert with the U.K.-based environmental group ClientEarth, Turkey’s Mediterranean geography makes it particularly exposed to climate-related threats. Water scarcity and the growing frequency of floods and other natural disasters are among the most pressing concerns.
Conclusion
As wildfires continue to threaten lives and livelihoods in both Greece and Turkey, the urgency to address the root causes of these disasters becomes clearer. With climate change accelerating the severity and spread of summer fires, regional cooperation and proactive environmental policies will be vital to safeguarding vulnerable communities in the years ahead.
