Nearly 500 people have been arrested in France on suspicion of starting wildfires this summer as firefighters across half a dozen European countries battle blazes fuelled by a record-breaking heatwave. One person has been killed and hundreds evacuated in Croatia.
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Key facts
- Almost 500 people arrested in France on suspicion of starting wildfires since the start of summer
- A fire in a Croatian holiday resort killed one person, injured 40 and forced 1,200 to evacuate
- Germany, Spain and Greece are also affected by wildfires
- The EU warned of pockets of 'very extreme' wildfire conditions across the continent
- Fires have burned around 500,000 hectares, according to Al Jazeera
Almost 500 people have been arrested in France on suspicion of starting wildfires since the beginning of the summer, authorities have said, according to the Guardian. The arrests come as firefighters in half a dozen European countries tackle ferocious blazes amid a record-breaking heatwave.
In Croatia, a fire engulfed homes in a holiday resort on Friday, killing one person, injuring 40 and forcing 1,200 people to evacuate, officials said. The Guardian reported that the European Union warned pockets of “very extreme” wildfire conditions stretched across the continent.
The blazes are not confined to France and Croatia. According to the Guardian, Germany, Spain and Greece have also been affected as the heatwave grips wide areas of Europe.
Al Jazeera reported that wildfires fuelled by record heat have burned around 500,000 hectares and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
The scale of the arrests in France points to concerns among authorities about deliberately set fires during a period of intense heat and dry conditions. The figure covers the period since the start of the summer, according to the Guardian.
The combination of record temperatures and dry vegetation has created dangerous conditions across multiple countries, with emergency services stretched as they respond to simultaneous blazes.
Why it matters
Wildfires driven by record heat are causing deaths, injuries and mass evacuations across Europe, straining emergency services in several countries at once. The wave of arson arrests in France highlights how human activity can worsen an already dangerous fire season fuelled by extreme weather.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been arrested in France?
Almost 500 people have been arrested in France on suspicion of starting wildfires since the start of the summer, according to authorities cited by the Guardian.
Which European countries are affected by the wildfires?
According to the Guardian, France, Croatia, Germany, Spain and Greece are among the countries affected, with firefighters in half a dozen European countries tackling blazes.
How much land has burned?
Al Jazeera reported that the wildfires have burned around 500,000 hectares and forced thousands of people to flee.
Timeline
- Wildfires rage across Europe as heatwaves drive record temperatures
Al Jazeera: Wildfires fuelled by record heat are ravaging Europe, burning around 500,000 hectares and forcing thousands to flee.
- Hundreds arrested on suspicion of arson in France as wildfires rage across Europe
The Guardian World: One person killed and hundreds evacuated in Croatia as blazes also hit Germany, Greece and Spain Almost 500 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France since the start of the summer, authorities have said, as firefighters in half a dozen European countr
- Hundreds arrested over suspected arson in France as wildfires rage across Europe
The Guardian World: One person killed and hundreds evacuated in Croatia with Germany, Spain and Greece also affected Almost 500 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires in France since the start of the summer, authorities have said, as firefighters in half a dozen European countr