Wildfires Force Hundreds to Evacuate Across European Resorts

Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated from resort areas in Croatia, Greece and France as severe wildfires continue to spread across parts of Europe.

In Croatia, a wildfire swept through the coastal resort town of Omiš, killing one person, injuring 40 others and forcing about 1,200 people to evacuate. Seven of those injured were reported to be in serious condition.

The blaze turned the night sky red as flames spread through homes and wooded areas around the popular tourist destination. Firefighters managed to bring the situation under control by Friday morning.

In northern Greece, more than 300 people were evacuated by boats from the seaside town of Siviri after a wildfire tore through surrounding forests. More than 140 firefighters, nine aircraft and seven helicopters were deployed to fight the blaze, while fishing boats assisted with the evacuation.

France also evacuated 525 people from the village of Luglon in the southwestern Landes region after another wildfire broke out.

Meanwhile, wildfires have reached record levels in Britain and Wales for a second consecutive year, with authorities blaming a series of heatwaves and extremely dry conditions. Several homes were damaged or destroyed as fires spread rapidly.

Spain is also battling major fires. A wildfire in Huelva has burned around 31,000 hectares and forced 700 people to leave their homes. Firefighting aircraft have already recorded more than 8,200 flight hours this year.

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service has warned of “very extreme” wildfire conditions across large parts of central and eastern Europe, as well as areas of Britain, Ireland, France and Sweden.

Scientists have linked Europe's record-breaking heat and drought to climate change, with prolonged hot and dry weather creating ideal conditions for increasingly severe wildfires.

The extreme weather is also threatening agriculture. Analysts warn that drought and heat could significantly reduce France's maize harvest and push European Union agricultural production to its lowest levels in decades.

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