Firefighters battle massive wildfires in Belgium and Greece as 2 die on an island near Athens
Summary
Large wildfires are burning in eastern Belgium and on a Greek island near Athens, causing two deaths and forcing residents and tourists to evacuate. Hot, dry weather and strong winds are making the fires spread quickly, and many firefighters and aircraft from several countries are helping to control the fires.Key Facts
- A wildfire burned about 30 square kilometers in the High Fens nature reserve in eastern Belgium.
- Around 600 people near the fire in Belgium were told to leave their homes for safety.
- More than 250 emergency workers, including firefighters and police from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, are fighting the fire.
- Two people died in a wildfire on the Greek island of Salamina near Athens.
- About 500 beach visitors were evacuated by boat from the Greek coast due to the fires.
- Hot, dry conditions and strong winds helped the fires spread rapidly in both countries.
- Belgium asked the European Union for firefighting help; Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic sent aircraft to assist.
- Fires in Belgium have surpassed the size of the country’s previous largest wildfire from 2011.
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