BRYONY GORDON: Why I'd be in the street in my PJs shouting long before 3am if my neighbours threw a party
I look quite, quite mad – or more mad than normal, I should perhaps say – as I hoot and holler in the general direction of the next-door neighbour's window.
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Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
British tourists put on alert as new Greece wildfires spread amid 44C heatwave - as blaze tears through capital Athens
British tourists have been put on alert as new Greece wildfires spread amid a 44C heatwave - as a blaze tears through the capital of Athens. The southern European country was first hit with the scorching temperatures on Monday and they have not relented throughout this week. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire has now burned through a northern suburb of the capital, on Saturday. Shocking pictures show homes ablaze while residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate. Some 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, ten firefighting planes and seven helicopters remain on site, with Greece asking for six more such planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. At least five residents - most of them elderly, with respiratory problems - are being treated by ambulance staff. But Fire Service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakoyannis said 'the real difficulties are ahead of us', as the hot, dry, windy conditions 'are expected to prevail over the coming days'. And indeed, some 52 wildfires have already broken out in just the last 24 hours - with British tourists under alert by the Foreign Office to be aware of their dangers. After the mercury hit a blistering 44C high in Athens on Tuesday, a wildfire has now burned through a northern suburb of the capital (pictured), on Saturday The Foreign Office updated its advice for British travellers to Greece at the start of this month, warning of the risk of wildfires. It notes: 'Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods... 'There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Advising how to enable emergency alerts from the Greek government for near where you are, it adds: 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. 'The situation can change quickly.' It also recommends tourists consider packing a 'grab bag' of essentials, including passports, ID, phones, chargers, money, bank cards, insurance and other important documents and essential medicine and prescription details. Of the fire in Athens, Mr Vathrakoyannis said: 'There have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out.' The exact origin of the fire is unknown - but temperatures reaching or exceeding 38C, dry conditions and high winds have been said to be fanning the flames. Greece has asked for for six more firefighting planes from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Under such conditions, wildfires 'expand very quickly and become dangerous', he warned. Three other major fires have also broken out in other parts of the country, on the islands of Crete and nearby Kythera to the south and on Evia, north of Athens. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are fighting the blazes - but they can only operate in daylight. The Greek government's Emergency Communications Service has issued several place-specific warnings, ordering those in the area to evacuate. A blaze has broken out at the 400-bed Agios Andreas Hospital in the city of Patras, near Athens, on Saturday. The department has warned, as of Saturday evening: 'Smoke in the surrounding area. Stay indoors, close doors and windows. Follow the instructions of the authorities.' On Crete, anyone in the areas of Anidri, Achladiakes, Strati, Asfendiles, Platanes and Azogires has been ordered to evacuate to the town of Paleochora, as of Saturday evening. Anyone in the island's village of Temenia has been told to move to nearby town Kandalos. Those in the Pei and Dokos areas of Evia have been told to evacuate to the nearby city of Chalkida. Meanwhile, those in the island's Pissonas area are ordered to move to the village of Katheni. In the southwestern region of Messinia, those in the Drosopigi and Malthi areas have been told to evacuate to the village of Mila. People in Chrisotopos and Revmatia, in the same part of the country, must move to the village of Zermpisia. Again in Messinia, those in the Aetos area should go to the town of Kopanaki. These are just the warnings issued over the last couple of hours, with many sent out to tourists and residents alike over the course of Saturday. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. The continent's southernmost nation has always had hot and dry summers but is suffering increasingly devastating wildfires and scorching temperatures. Several blazes have broken out in the country in the past month as the whole of the Europe is hit with a red-hot heatwave this summer. The EU's fire monitoring system warns that the risk of yet more devastating blazes remains high as forecasters predict drier-than-average conditions for much of the continent through August. The high temperatures in Greece this week forced the iconic Acropolis, the country's most visited ancient site, to close for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, strict new rules were implemented to protect workers from the heat. Couriers, food delivery riders and builders in the wider area of Athens and other regions were among those ordered to pause work from midday until 5pm. Workers with underlying health issues were advised to work remotely to avoid heat stress. National weather service EMY has said the heatwave that began on Monday is not expected to ease before Sunday. Temperatures were expected to increase throughout the week, after the scorching highs of 44C recorded in Athens on Tuesday. Similarly, across the Balkans, firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes this week that threaten homes, nature reserves and tourist regions. Seven major fires were reported in North Macedonia, where temperatures of up to 42C were recorded on Tuesday. Five fires were out of control in Albania where temperatures ranged from 37C to 41C on Monday. In Croatia, a fire near the tourist town of Sibenik was being fought by dozens of civil emergency experts and six specialist planes. Some of the fires in North Macedonia had been burning for several days, notably one in the Ezerani natural park close to lake Prespa. The country's mayors have complained they do not have enough resources to battle the fires. According to the mayors' association, the 400 firefighters in North Macedonia are half the number the law lays down as the minimum. Their vehicles are on average 27 years old. Serbia was on a heat alert with highs around 38C on Monday but temperatures were expected to start falling. The country is already suffering from one of its worst droughts in living memory. Northern Bosnia was also braced for temperatures of up to 40C. Bulgarian authorities on Tuesday urged businesses to give away water and cut physical labour during high-risk hours. Meanwhile, Spain struggled to quell a series of wildfires that have already burned through more than 70,000 hectares of land in recent weeks. Firefighters managed to extinguish or control several blazes last weekend weekend but arid conditions sparked two fresh fires near the tourist hotspot of Malaga. One punishing fire was recorded threatening the main entrance of the Andalucia Technology Park (PTA) in Campanillas, near Malaga city. Another was spotted in Casares, near the Ignacio Molina wind farm. In both cases, firefighters and water-dropping helicopters were dispatched to calm the flames. The Italian island of Sicily has also battled several wildfires, with soaring temperatures leading authorities to issue red alert warnings for four provinces this week. Sicily's Forestry Corps and Civil Protection workers were engaged to extinguish the fires, with six water-dropping aircraft drafted in to control the flames. Three of the blazes were located in the northwest in the countryside between the cities of Palermo and Trapani. Two more were reported along the south coast and another in the suburbs of the eastern city of Catania. Horrifying images snapped on Monday evening by residents in Trapani showed thick orange flames scything through bone-dry hills on the outskirts of the city. Last weekend, meteorologists placed the eastern provinces of Catania, Caltanissetta, Enna and Messina under red alert warnings, with emergency services preparing for the prospect of yet more infernos. Wildfires have burned more than 227,000 hectares of land in Europe since the beginning of the year, according to the EU's European Forest Fire Information System - far above the average figure for the first six months of the year. It is not yet clear if 2025 will be a record year, as that will depend on how the fire season evolves in the coming months. But the number of fires in Europe has also surged this year so far, with 1,118 blazes detected as of July 8, versus 716 in the same period last year, EFFIS said. Countries are preparing for worse blazes. Warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast across Europe in August, EFFIS said, meaning fire danger will remain high across much of southern and eastern Europe. While Southern Europe is expected to see normal rainfall patterns, the rest of the continent is expected to be drier than normal in August, EFFIS said - potentially exacerbating fire risk in other regions. Across the globe, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Research published earlier this month showed the soil surface temperature around Athens rose in some places by as much as 10C since July 2024 after fires destroyed vegetation. Meanwhile, northern parts of the continent battled a different kind of extreme weather this week as deadly storms, tornadoes and giant hail hit France and Germany. Parts of the two nations have been lashed by violent storms that ripped roofs from homes and toppled trees. A tornado tore through an airport in central France, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, as hailstones the size of golf balls hammered southern Germany. These extreme weather events come after 2024 was officially declared the hottest year ever recorded, with temperatures exceeding 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The Foreign Office notes starting a wildfire is a criminal offence, even if unintentional. It therefore advises cigarettes are properly extinguished, barbecues are not be lit and no litter is left, especially glass, which is known to start fires. Fires - and being in immediate danger from them - should be reported to the emergency services by calling 112. Their advice should be followed in case of a fire. Tourists can follow @112Greece for official updates and contact their airline or travel operator for assistance with return travel back to the UK in the event of a fire. Further information is available on Greece's Civil Protection website and on the government's advice page for preparing for and responding to extreme weather and natural hazards.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Wildfire burns through northern suburb of Greece's capital Athens and residents are told to evacuate
A wildfire burned through a northern suburb of the Greek capital of Athens on Saturday and some residents were ordered to evacuate, the country's Fire Service reported. Residents of the town of Kryoneri, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) northeast of Athens received 3 SMS messages to evacuate to safe areas, Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyannis told reporters. Greek media have shown houses on fire. The spokesman said 'there have been reports of damages. We will take stock when the fires have been put out.' 'The real difficulties are ahead of us,' Vathrakoyannis said, adding that Greece has asked for six firefighting planes from the European Union 's Civil Protection Mechanism. On site, 145 firefighters and 44 fire engines, 10 firefighting planes and seven helicopters are attempting to put out the fire, whose origin is unknown. Four ambulances are treating at least five residents, most of them elderly with respiratory problems. Temperatures reaching, or exceeding, 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), dry conditions and high winds are fanning the flames. Under such conditions wildfires 'expand very quickly and become dangerous. These conditions are expected to prevail over the coming days,' Vathrakoyannis said. The fire service is also dealing with three other major fires in the southwest on Greece's two largest islands — Crete in the south and Evia north of Athens — and also on the island of Kythera, northwest of Crete. At least 335 firefighters, 19 planes and 13 helicopters are involved, but can only operate in daylight. In total, 52 wildfires broke out across the country over the past 24 hours, the spokesman said. Wildfires, many of them destructive, have become a common occurrence in Greece in recent years. Several have broken out in the past month.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Tour de France - Groves wins penultimate stage as Pogacar closes in on title defence
Update: Date: 16:05 BST Title: 'I suffered to the line and as a reward we get a Tour stage' Content: Stage winner Kaden Groves said: "There are so many emptions to win here. The team, we came here with so many different plans with Jasper [Philipsen] and Mathieu [van der Poel]. "In the end, I get my own opportunities and they haven't gone the right way. But today I had super legs. I just suffered to the line and as a reward we get a Tour stage. "The team gave me a free role in the last few days. We weren't sure if I should go for it today or wait until tomorrow. But when the rain falls, I always have a super feeling normally, in the cold weather. It's my first time winning solo - and it's in a Tour stage. Pretty incredible." Update: Date: 15:56 BST Title: General classification after stage 20 Content: Update: Date: 15:41 BST Title: Pogacar set to seal fourth Tour win after finishing unscathed Content: There was a crash as the peloton rolled through to the finish but Tadej Pogacar was unscathed so the reigning champion will seal his fourth Tour title on Sunday. The final day of the Tour is a processional stage, where traditionally the general classification leader is not challenged. As he crossed the line, Pogacar even got a pat on the back from his great rival Jonas Vingegaard. Update: Date: 15:29 BST Title: Stage 20 results Content: Update: Date: 15:25 BST Title: Post Content: Kaden Groves is sobbing as he's congratulated at the finish. Update: Date: 15:24 BST Title: Groves claims first Tour stage win Content: Kaden Groves taps his chest and holds his arms aloft as he completes the trilogy of winning a stage on each of the three Grand Tour races. Update: Date: 2km to go Title: Post Content: Alpecin-Deceuninck's team car is right next to Kaden Groves, giving him some motivation for the finis - as if any was needed. The Australian is set to become the Belgian team's third winner on this year's Tour, after Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel triumphed on the first two stages. Update: Date: 5km to go Title: O'Connor gives up the chase Content: The gap is now 48 seconds as Kaden Groves approaches Pontarlier. Back in the peloton, compatriot Ben O'Connor has nothing left and is forced to accept he will relinquish a top-10 GC spot to Jordan Jegat. They are more than six minutes back from Groves. Update: Date: 10km to go Title: Post Content: Kaden Groves is now 40 seconds clear of Frank van den Broek, with Jake Stewart having dropped back to be joined by Simone Velasco. Update: Date: 15km to go Title: Groves takes lead Content: Kaden Groves puts the pedal down, and Jake Stewart and Frank van den Broek just look at each other and let the Australian get away. He builds a 25-second lead by the time he reaches the 15km mark. Update: Date: 20km to go Title: Post Content: It's all change at the front again. Kaden Groves, Frank van den Broek and British rider Jake Stewart now lead the way. Update: Date: 22km to go Title: Ouch! - Nasty falls for Gregoire & Romeo Content: Romain Gregoire attacks on the downhill, before Ivan Romeo charges to the front. And as the pair go into a wet turn, Romeo hits the deck and slides into the kerb. A split-second after Romeo goes down, Gregoire follows suit, but at least he didn't get the double-whammy of slamming into the kerb too. The Frenchman gets back on his bike but Spanish youngster Romeo is hurt. Update: Date: 24km to go Title: Polka-dot jersey - Gregoire takes final climb Content: Romain Gregoire is first over the summit and Kaden Groves accelerates over the top, followed by Simone Velasco, Frank van den Broek and Jake Stewart. Update: Date: 25km to go Title: Post Content: The chaser groups have joined Harry Sweeny on the slopes. Ivan Romeo attacks but local favourite Romain Gregoire, being cheered on by fans on the climb, gets back to him. Update: Date: 27km to go Title: Sweeny & Groves survive scare Content: Hilly 184.2km stage, Nantua to Pontarlier The leading riders are onto the final categorised climb of this year's Tour outside Paris. It's a 2.5km ascent of Cote de Longeville, which has an average gradient of 5.5%. Harry Sweeny and Kaden Groves slip on the wet climb but the Australian pair somehow manage to stay upright. Update: Date: 30km to go Title: Post Content: Pascal Eenkhoorn, Romain Gregoire, Frank van den Broek, Kaden Groves and Jake Stewart have closed to within 15 seconds of Harry Sweeny. Jordan Jegat's group is 25 seconds further back, with Matteo Jorgenson and Tim Wellens on the charge behind them. Update: Date: 35km to go Title: Post Content: The chase group is down to five, including British rider Jake Stewart, and there's now four groups along the road between stage leader Harry Sweeny and the peloton. It's all going off. Update: Date: 40km to go Title: Post Content: Ben O'Connor is pulling the bunch with Jayco AlUla team-mate Mauro Schmid in a bid to stop Jordan Jegat taking a top-10 GC spot off him. Update: Date: 45km to go Title: Post Content: The rain is coming down again, with Harry Sweeny leading by 40 seconds. The gap to the bunch is now up to 5mins 15secs. Update: Date: 48km to go Title: Vingegaard needs new bike Content: More than four minutes back in the peloton, Jonas Vingegaard is racing back after stopping to take a new bike. That gap means Jordan Jegat, who is now in the chase group, has gone above Ben O'Connor in the virtual GC standings.
