Turkey and Eastern Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is a ring of fire, with Turkey and Greece also burning. Fires in Turkey began on Wednesday amid gust, hot, and dry conditions along the coast. Absolutely terrifying images and videos emerged of tourists on the beach as wildfires roared in the hills behind oceanfront hotels and villas. According to the AP, 50 towns and villages were evacuated as fires marauded across the countryside. There are at least four dead and 50 injured as more than 4,000 firefighters work to contain the fires.
“We were hoping to contain some of the fires as of this morning but while we say cautiously that they are improving, we still cannot say they are under control,” said Turkey Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli.
Wildfires also burned in Greece over the weekend, including an “out of control” one on the outskirts of Athens. Fires also plagued Greece earlier in July as well.
Lebanon is also facing a series of destructive fires as well. Videos show raging fires licking up hillsides. At least one is dead, a 15-year-old boy who was helping firefighters battle the blazes, and the fires appear to be spreading to Syria as well. Lebanon is asking for help from neighboring Cyprus, which itself just put out the most destructive wildfire the country has seen in decades that left four dead less than a month ago.
