Around 30,000 people were moved to safety on the Greek island of Rhodes where a wildfire burned on Saturday, while people in the southern United States struggled under a record-breaking heat wave.
Around 30,000 people were moved to safety on the Greek island of Rhodes where a wildfire burned on Saturday, while people in the southern United States struggled under a record-breaking heat wave.
Tens of millions of people have been suffering through intense heat this summer and the world looks set for its hottest July on record.
As temperature records tumble, experts have pointed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels, arguing that global warming is playing a key role in the devastating heat.
On the Mediterranean island of Rhodes, where a wildfire has been blazing for days, boats carried 2,000 people to safety from beaches in the east of the popular tourist island.
Greek fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis told Skai TV: « This is not a fire that will be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It’ll be troubling us for days. »
Three coastguard ships led more than 30 private vessels in the evacuation, while a Greek navy boat was heading to the area.
Island officials arranged for dozens of buses to take people to safety, but where fires had cut off road access, others had to walk.
Authorities have opened up gyms, schools and hotel conference centers to serve as makeshift accommodation, while firefighters battle the blaze.
