Firefighters battle massive wildfires in Belgium and Greece as two die on island near Athens
A blaze in eastern Belgium burned about 30 square kilometers in the High Fens, a large nature reserve, in one of the country's worst wildfires in recent history. On the Greek island of Salamina, some 260 firefighters were responding to the blazes.
Wildfires are raging in Belgium and Greece, with firefighters working to contain the blazes. In eastern Belgium, a large wildfire has burned around 30 square kilometers in the High Fens nature reserve, with flames spreading rapidly through the difficult-to-reach area near the German border. According to Euronews and RFI English, the fire has doubled in size over 24 hours and is considered one of the country's largest wildfires in over a century.
In Greece, firefighters are battling blazes on two islands. On the island of Salamina, 260 firefighters are responding to the fires, as reported by Le Monde English. Additionally, Phys.org states that firefighters are also working to contain a forest fire on the Aegean island of Skyros, with the local mayor expressing hope that it can soon be brought under control.
Two people have died on an island near Athens, although the specific island is not mentioned in the reports. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated to support the efforts in Belgium, with aerial reinforcements arriving from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, as reported by Euronews.
Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Phys.org, Euronews, RFI English — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
