Firefighters race to contain wildfires in Greece as thousands evacuated
Ierapetra mayor Manolis Frangoulis said firefighters were working to prevent flare-ups and take advantage of a lull in high winds.
'Thankfully no one was hurt but it's a difficult situation,' he said.
Displaced tourists were relocated to other hotels or spent the night in an indoor basketball stadium. Several homes and businesses were damaged.
Separately on Thursday, a wildfire near the port of Rafina, about 20 miles east of Athens, disrupted local ferry services to the islands.
Police went door-to-door to assist elderly residents while carrying out an evacuation order.
In western Turkey, a local forestry worker was killed while trying to contain a fire near the town of Odemis, and an 81-year-old resident died from smoke inhalation, authorities said. It marked the first fatalities in a series of wildfires that have forced thousands to flee.
Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and helicopters, were deployed to battle a wildfire near the Aegean coastal town of Cesme, a popular holiday destination about 120 miles west of Odemis.
That fire, which began on Wednesday, forced the evacuation of three neighbourhoods and led to road closures. Television footage showed flames racing through dry vegetation on both sides of a major road.
Over the past week, Turkey has battled hundreds of wildfires fuelled by strong winds, extreme heat and low humidity. Now mostly under control, the blazes have damaged or destroyed about 200 homes.
Summer wildfires are common in both Greece and Turkey, where experts warn that climate change is intensifying conditions.
Late Wednesday, Turkey's parliament adopted a landmark climate law targeting net-zero emissions by 2053. The legislation includes measures to establish a carbon market board to oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The law comes at a time when Turkey is increasingly grappling with issues related to climate change, from searing heatwaves to prolonged droughts, experts say.
'As a Mediterranean country, Turkey is highly vulnerable to climate change,' said Gizem Koc, a lawyer with the UK-based environmental advocacy group ClientEarth.
'The most striking vulnerability is the drought and water stress in some regions, but also there is increasing frequency of floods and other extreme weather events.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Money experts warn of ‘costly mistake' holidaymakers fall victim to
Holidaymakers risk unexpected expenses by relying solely on card payments abroad, with new research revealing that more than a third have found themselves caught out needing physical cash. Specifically, 39 per cent of those surveyed by the website Be Clever With Your Cash reported encountering unexpected situations where physical money was essential during their travels. The research highlighted that the most frequent instances requiring cash involved tipping, paying for taxi journeys, and shopping at smaller, independent retailers. Prepaid and specialist travel cards can make it easier to rely less on physical cash while travelling overseas. But those suddenly needing that cash could end up paying extra costs, the survey carried out by Opinium, among 2,000 people across the UK who have travelled abroad, indicates. The research found some people who had to make an emergency cash machine withdrawal on their last trip overseas were charged an ATM fee. Some people also said they turned to airport exchange desks for last-minute cash, even though they may potentially be getting a worse deal than if they had shopped around for their travel money and planned ahead. The website said that stepping outside major cities can also present challenges, as rural and remote areas in some countries could be less likely to accept cards. Amelia Murray, a money expert at Be Clever With Your Cash, said: 'There's still a blind spot when it comes to cash. Many people assume that having a fee-free card is enough, but that can be a false economy if you end up using an ATM abroad that charges or get stung by poor exchange rates. 'It's not about carrying wads of cash, it's about being prepared for those moments when a card simply won't cut it.' Ms Murray suggested packing a 'cash cushion' – a small amount of local currency that could be useful for tipping, local travel, or if holidaymakers end up somewhere that does not accept cards. She also suggested that holidaymakers make sure they understand their card's policy on fees and currency conversion before they travel. People may also want to check how much they would be covered for by their travel insurer if their cash is lost or stolen while they are abroad. Research released by financial information business Defaqto in May indicated that 91 per cent of annual and 86 per cent of single trip policies included cash cover as standard. Just over a third (35 per cent) of single trip travel insurance policies covered as much as £200 to £299, while a quarter (24 per cent) covered between £300 to £399, according to Defaqto 's analysis.
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘Wake up curious about the world!' Readers' tips for regaining your sense of adventure
As we get older, many of us feel like we lose our sense of adventure. Busy lives can leave us feeling exhausted, while increasing responsibilities leave little room for more intrepid pursuits. But maintaining an adventurous perspective is one of the best ways to keep life exciting. With this in mind, we asked readers to share their tips for reigniting a sense of adventure. Here are 10 of the best suggestions: This year I made a resolution to do at least one new thing every month. So far I've tried a flotation tank, tarot, reiki and axe-throwing, and appeared on a podcast. And I am going to an over-30s day rave. Acupuncture, a sound bath and reformer pilates are also on the list. I've heard that, when you're a child, one reason time feels slower is the abundance of new experiences. This year has definitely felt longer to me – in a good way. I've made more of it and had fun trying things I otherwise might never have gotten around to. Becky Colley, UX design consultant, Manchester Wake up curious about the world. Avoid the grumpy vortex at all costs and challenge yourself when you start to feel grouchy. Be open to learning. Keep reviewing your life's balance … do you have the right amount of social activity, charity work, fitness and flexibility? If not, make a plan to be a more balanced and content person, ensuring you still have enough energy for the adventure. Em Elphick, former police officer, Oxford My wife and I began backpacking a few years ago, in our 50s. I was a Boy Scout in the 70s, so I had backpacked many times when I was young, but never as an adult. It's such an easy, cost-effective way to spend your vacation time – plus it's healthy and rewarding. The upfront cost of purchasing quality lightweight gear can be steep, but once you've got your kit, the only expenses are the cost to travel to your hiking destination, your backpacking meals and stove fuel. We both thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, plus numerous other trails closer to home. There is nothing that builds confidence like going into the wilderness for a week and surviving with only the items you're carrying in your pack. I highly recommend that young people take up backpacking so they can see the natural world while still physically able. I wish I had done so back in my 20s. 'Jedi', New York Adventure does not have to be grand or ostentatious. You can adventure daily – as long as you are having fun, getting out of your comfort zone and being present in the moment. My recent adventures upon retirement have included: taking an improv acting class; joining an adult softball league; substitute teaching (never a dull moment!) and starting my own business. Virginia Leoni, retired teacher, Oregon I stopped flying in 2019 because of the climate crisis and, with my husband and two children (aged 11 and eight), have found a new sense of adventure in slow travel to Europe. Being rocked to sleep in a bunk aboard a clanking train and waking to see the sun rise in another country is magical. There is so much learned along the way: how to navigate train timetables, what to do when things go wrong, the idiosyncrasies of different cultures. Train travel to far-flung destinations is more difficult than flying – and all the more rewarding for it. Our children embrace the challenge so much more enthusiastically than we would have predicted. Hannah Stanton, school streets officer, Manchester Get in the sea! I grew up near the coast, always loved swimming as a kid. Then life got in the way: I discovered partying and struggled to hold down jobs and responsibilities. For years, I had a recurring dream about floating in really cold water and feeling so calm and at ease. I realised I needed to swim again – but since I find the noise and smells and people in swimming pools hard to cope with, I tried the sea. Now I'm addicted to it. My husband, Paul, and I moved to the coast last year, partly because of my desire to be in the sea. It has changed my life. Claire Dearden, Northumberland Make time for people of all ages. If you only hang out with people around your age, you all have a similar worldview. Being around different generations gives you a different perspective – and this keeps your sense of adventure alive. It's easy to slip into a routine – but then you blink and you've gone two years without doing anything out of the ordinary. Recently, my youngest wanted to go up a mountain to see the snow. I wasn't keen but was so glad I made the effort. Kymon Hill, managing director of a catering company, New Plymouth, New Zealand Around menopause I moved toward what I call 'inner adventure'. I really began to meditate with discipline and purpose. I went on long silent retreats, exploring breathwork and other techniques. At first, I still did lots of travelling and music events. Now, the inner explorations are far more exciting and have brought me to a level of contentment and happiness I never would have even imagined. Quilley Powers, retired social worker, paralegal and meditation retreat manager, California, US You don't need to go all out to experience adventure. Images of surfers riding overhead waves or skiers funnelling through couloirs can be inspiring – but also intimidating. I took a surf lesson on waves that were all of shin-high, not expecting much, but the sheer thrill of it was on par with my best skiing days in St Anton. I looked terrible, and probably got a few laughs, but being lost in a new experience in my 50s made the rest of the world dissipate for a few perfect moments. Isn't that what we're all really seeking in adventure? Duff Armour, artist, Quebec When I retired at 60, my wife, Lynne, bought me a good-quality, mid-priced off-road bike. Every ride has become an adventure and I do it whenever I can – mostly alone, but occasionally with friends or family, and once a week with a group. As my wife rarely cycles, I use my cycle routes to plot walks we can do together. My outlook on life has improved, and I am getting plenty of exercise and fresh air, as well as meeting new people. Occasionally I come to a dead end, but more often than not I discover a new trail that I add to my ever-expanding library of adventures. David Cross, retired IT manager, Buckinghamshire
BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
Windsor roads set to close as President Macron makes state visit
Roads in Windsor are set to be closed ahead of a state visit by French President Emmanuel Charles and Queen Camilla will host the president and his wife Brigitte Macron at Windsor Castle from Tuesday to routes in and around the town centre will shut for a rehearsal on Monday and a procession on Tuesday between 08:45 and 16:00 will be restricted on both days for aircrafts and drones over and around Windsor, except for emergencies. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said parking will be suspended on all affected roads during the closures.B470 King Edward VII, B470 Windsor Road, Thames Avenue and B470 River Street are expected to reopen by 13: will be 'No Waiting' in force from midnight on Monday until 14:00 Tuesday on stretches of the A308 at Osborne Road and Frances Road to allow for troop movements from Combermere and Eton's shops, cafés and restaurants will be open as usual along with most car parks. No pedestrianised areas or shopping centres will be can see a map of the closures online. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
