Ashes ‘rain’ in Mediterranean countries

Ashes ‘rain’ in Mediterranean countries as fires spread.

The Mediterranean coast in summer normally brings images to mind of stunning sea views and clear blue skies, sadly though at the moment many areas of the eastern Mediterranean are experiencing a completely different reality as temperatures soar and reach record highs. Sadly, in countries such as Turkey, Greece and in parts of southern Italy blazes have been advancing.

An unprecedented heatwave is being experienced in these countries and average temperatures have hit a staggering 45 degrees C. This means that many Mediterranean regions have the ideal conditions for shockingly large fires to break out.

Firefighters have performed an impressive 740 interventions in southern Italy in the space of only one day. The area has been hit by a shocking amount of fires with the worst hit area being Sicily.

Sardinia has also been hard-hit and only a week ago a state of emergency had to be declared after fires broke out on the western coast. Other countries stepped in to help as best as they could, and air support was sent in from France and Greece. Sadly though over 20,000 hectares of land were destroyed.

As reported El Espanol: “The Hellenic Republic, which is currently experiencing the worst heat wave in 40 years, has not been spared from these episodes either. Firefighters have been trying for days to contain the fires that are spreading throughout the country, but especially in Athens and on the island of Evia.”

According to Francisco Martin, a meteorology expert with the Meteored agency, record temperatures are being seen in many areas.

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