Overview

• Greece deployed nearly 5 000 firefighters, 62 aircraft and coast guard vessels to tackle more than 20 active fronts around Patras, Chios and Zakynthos.
• Authorities confirmed at least three deaths in the current wave, including a volunteer firefighter in Spain’s Castile and León region and an elderly man near Tirana, Albania.
• Over 5 000 people, including tourists, have been evacuated as flames consume homes, farms, factories and threaten archaeological sites.
• EU Civil Protection Mechanism partners such as Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Romania and the Czech Republic have sent water-bombing planes and crews to reinforce overstretched local services.
• Officials point to suspected arson, power infrastructure failures, dry farming practices and lightning strikes as triggers and warn the fires underscore the need for stronger prevention and protection planning.