Greek island wildfire kills two people as helicopters called in to tackle Belgium forest blaze

Wildfires have claimed two lives on the Greek island of Salamis, with emergency services recovering the bodies of two individuals from the Peristeria beach area. The fires prompted an evacuation order for hundreds of residents.

Meanwhile, Belgium is confronting its most significant wildfire in modern history. A blaze in the High Fens nature reserve, popular with hikers, has already consumed 3,000 hectares and is nearing the German border. Approximately 600 people in the municipalities of Waimes and Bütgenbach were ordered to evacuate, with tourists also advised to leave. Firefighters, supported by German counterparts and aerial resources from Sweden and the Netherlands, are working to contain the fire in the challenging terrain.

Officials describe the conditions as difficult, though two fire fronts have been brought under control. The fire, which began on Friday, is occurring in an area previously devastated by wildfires in 1911. The current extreme weather conditions across Europe, marked by intense heat, are creating a fertile ground for such outbreaks, highlighting the impact of human-caused climate breakdown on extreme weather events globally.

This situation follows a deadly wildfire in a Croatian holiday resort on Friday, which killed one person, injured 40, and forced 1,200 to evacuate, underscoring the widespread threat of wildfires across the continent.

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On this third day of fighting the fires, all resources remain mobilised on the ground. We can also count on the solidarity of our European partners … thank you to everyone who mobilised to fight the fires. United, we are stronger.