Believed to be artificial - area closed

Forest fires

Popular tourist destinations on fire - volcano area closed

Jonathan Norberg

Updated 19.44 | Published 19.33

 

Fire at the Vesuvius volcano on Friday. Photo: Reader's picture

Large fires continue to cause devastation in Europe.

In Italy, large parts of the area around the Vesuvius volcano have been completely closed due to an uncontrolled forest fire.

"All activities are canceled until further notice," writes the Vesuvius National Park in a statement.

The fire in the national park around Vesuvius broke out on Friday, and is still not under control on Sunday, reports The Guardian.

The mayor of Terzigno tells Italian media that there is much to suggest that the fire may have been artificial.

A total area of about three kilometers is said to be burning, leading to the closure of all hiking trails near the infamous volcano on Sunday.

 

All hiking trails around the infamous volcano Vesuvius are now closed. Photo: Reader's picture

 

In the Greek town of Kanali, hotels have been evacuated due to forest fires. Photo: Reader's picture

Hotels are being evacuated in Greece

At the same time, French firefighters continue to fight the country's largest forest fire in 75 years.

The massive forest fire in the southern Aude region is currently said to be under control, but is expected to derail again due to high temperatures and strong winds on Sunday evening.

A total of 1,300 firefighters are still on duty, reports Le Monde.

– The mobilization must be total – it is about persevering and not showing weakness, the region's chief of staff Amélie Trioux tells the newspaper.

Forest fires have also been raging in several places in Greece since Friday. According to Greek media in the area, residents of Kato Revamatia were instructed to evacuate their homes on Sunday.

Hotels in the Greek town of Kanali were also evacuated on Sunday.