Deadly wildfires are sweeping parts of Europe, with two deaths reported in Greece and Belgium confronting a blaze believed to be its largest in modern history as it edges toward Germany.
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Key facts
- An elderly couple died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis on Sunday.
- The couple died outside their home in the Peristeria beach area, according to Greece's coastguard.
- More than 500 people were ordered to evacuate.
- Belgium is battling its largest modern-day wildfire in an inaccessible area near Germany.
- The Belgian fire has crept closer to the German border, prompting evacuations.
Wildfires are burning across several European countries, with fatalities in Greece and Belgium confronting a blaze described as the largest in its modern history, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the crisis.
An elderly couple died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis on Sunday. Greece’s coastguard said the couple died outside their home in the Peristeria beach area of the island.
More than 500 people were ordered to evacuate as the fires spread, the Guardian reported.
In Belgium, authorities are battling what is thought to be the country’s largest modern-day wildfire. The fire is located in an inaccessible area near the border with Germany.
The Belgian blaze has crept closer to the German border, prompting evacuations in the affected area, according to the Guardian.
The deaths and evacuations mark the latest developments in a wave of wildfires affecting France, Greece, Belgium and other parts of the continent.
Why it matters
Wildfires that cross national borders strain emergency services and put lives and homes at risk across multiple countries at once. The scale of the Belgian blaze, described as the largest in its modern history, signals the growing reach of extreme fire conditions in parts of Europe not traditionally associated with major wildfires.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the deaths in Greece occur?
An elderly couple died outside their home in the Peristeria beach area of the Greek island of Salamis on Sunday, according to Greece's coastguard.
How many people were evacuated in Greece?
More than 500 people were ordered to evacuate as the fires spread, the Guardian reported.
Why is the Belgian wildfire significant?
It is thought to be the largest modern-day wildfire in Belgium's history and is burning in an inaccessible area near Germany, prompting evacuations as it moves closer to the border.
Timeline
- Wildfires rage in France and Greece as Belgium tackles enormous blaze – Europe live
The Guardian World: Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuations An elderly couple died in fires on the Greek island of Salamis on Sunday and Belgium is battling its largest modern-day wildfire at an inaccessible area near Germany, in the l