Extreme weather in Europe

Spain appeals to Europe to help put out fires

The Spanish Interior Ministry has asked allies in Europe for help to put out the large forest fires raging in several parts of the country, Reuters reports. The city of Ourense in the northwestern parts of the country has been hit particularly hard, according to El País.

The city's emergency services are currently fighting several fires, which have forced the authorities to close the high-speed railway in the region. Around 11,500 hectares have burned.

Cities such as León and Zamora in northern Spain have also been affected. At least seven people have been seriously injured and up to 10,000 people have been forced to evacuate.

152 fires broke out in Greece – last 24 hours

Extreme weather in southern Europe continues to cause fires. In Greece, 152 fires have broken out in the last 24 hours alone, the BBC reports.

Nearly 5,000 firefighters are now battling the blaze. Thousands of residents and travelers have been forced to leave the tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos.

“Today will be another very tough day, as the risk of forest fires throughout the country is very high,” says Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, spokesman for the Zakynthos fire department.

Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and several Balkan countries are also enduring high temperatures of over 40 degrees, which has so far led to three deaths.