Wildfires in pictures – the battle to control Europe’s deadly blazes


July 15, 2022, 11:52 | Updated: July 15, 2022, 18:26

High temperatures and strong storms have fueled deadly wildfires that have swept across large parts of Western Europe.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands forced to flee their homes as firefighters battle to control the blaze.

Here we look at the countries affected by the fire and some of the most amazing images.

Portugal

Temperatures have dropped slightly in Portugal but are still expected to top 40C in some places on Friday.

Portugal’s Health Minister Marta Temido said on Thursday that the health system had faced a “particularly serious” week due to the heat wave and that some hospitals were overwhelmed.

From July 7 to July 13, 238 people died in Portugal due to a heat wave, according to the country’s DGS health authority.

Spain

Last Friday in southern Spain after new wildfires broke out in parts of the western part of the country.

More than 400 people have been evacuated from the Mijas hills in Malaga province, popular with northern European tourists.

According to the database of the National Epidemiology Center, 84 people died in Spain in the first three days due to extreme heat.

France

More than 1,000 firefighters, backed by water-bombing planes, have battled since Tuesday to control two wildfires in southwestern France, in tin-box conditions and strong winds.

In the Gironde region, 11,300 people have been evacuated after wildfires broke out in the Dune du Pilat and Landiras areas.

7,350 hectares (18,000 acres) of land were burned.

Officials said the fire is still under control.



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