New fire threatens homes in Greece as Europe bakes in heatwave
Italy's health ministry issued red alerts for 18 cities as temperatures poised to soar as high as 38°C in major cities.
Temporary blackouts were possible with power consumption surging from the use of air conditioners, Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin warned.
Swiss utility Axpo has shut its two reactor units at the Beznau nuclear power plant due to high river water temperatures.
Gale-force winds and aridity made for tinderbox conditions, hampering Greek authorities' efforts' to tame the fires, as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave linked to the death of at least eight people across the region.
An airplane drops water on a wildfire that broke up in Pikermi, east of Athens. AFP
A new fire broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday afternoon, threatening many homes and prompting the evacuation of three settlements as more than 100 firefighters battled to extinguish it.
Thick grey smoke billowed over the area, close to the Athens international airport and Rafina, home to the capital's second largest port. The main avenue linking the suburb to Athens was closed to traffic.
Authorities said there was a high risk of fires also on Friday.
Flames rise next to houses as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina, Greece. Reuters
In Crete, around 230 firefighters, along with 46 engines and 10 helicopters, were deployed to contain the conflagration on Crete, which broke out a day earlier near Ierapetra town on the southeastern coast of Greece's largest island.
Authorities declared a state of emergency in the wider municipal area of Ierapetra on Thursday, state broadcaster ERT said.
The blaze encroached upon houses and hotels that were earlier evacuated, stoked by intense winds that 'rekindled and hindered firefighting efforts,' fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.
A firefighting airplane drops water as a wildfire burns in Rafina, east of Athens. AP
More than 1,000 residents and tourists were evacuated from at least four settlements. Most took shelter at an indoor stadium in Ierapetra, while others transferred to hotels in the north or left Crete by boat, authorities said.
'It was very scary,' said 26-year old Danish tourist Mikkel Sallin, who was evacuated to another hotel.
'We are just glad to stay here right now and feel safe.'
Local media reported damage to some homes, and some people were hospitalised with respiratory issues, an official said.
Southeastern Crete saw a massive exodus of about 5,000 holidaymakers, George Tzarakis, head of hoteliers in the area, told reporters, expressing concern over the impact on future bookings. Tourism is a key income earner for the popular tourist island.
Firefighters gather on a field near the area where an airplane drops water over a wildfire that broke up in Pikermi. AFP
Greece and other countries in the Mediterranean are in an area scientists dub 'a wildfire hotspot' - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate.
Scientists say heatwaves have arrived earlier this year, spiking temperatures by up to 10°C in some regions as warming seas encouraged the formation of a heat dome over much of Europe, trapping hot air masses.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, thousands fled as authorities battled wildfires in Cesme and Odemis districts for a second day on the western coastal province of Izmir.
Winds hindered their efforts as the flames approached a main highway to Cesme, local TV footage showed, and thick smoke billowed over mountainous areas.
Separately, the Western Balkans faces a severe drought after a heat wave hit the region, disrupting daily life and creating issues with agriculture and power.
Temperatures on Thursday in central Albania reached 40°C and meteorologists warned that there would be scarce rain until September. Rivers are almost dry because of a lack of rainfall during winter and spring.
The soaring temperatures have pushed Albanian authorities to assist local agriculture with irrigation networks.
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