Greece battles five major wildfires amid heatwave

Greece is fighting five major wildfires as extreme heat and strong winds fuel fast-moving flames. The hardest-hit area is just 30km north of Athens, where fires spread through several towns, forcing mass evacuations. Temperatures are nearing 44°C, with the heatwave expected to continue. Over 200 firefighters are battling the blaze near Athens, supported by aircraft. Six firefighters have been hospitalized. More than 50 blazes in Greece alone forcing families to be evacuated from their homes. On Evia island, a fire near Pissona is out of control. Several villages lost power after flames destroyed pylons. In Kythira, fires forced the rescue of 139 people by boat. In Messinia and Crete, new fires broke out, threatening homes and prompting more evacuations. Greece has requested help from the EU, asking for six additional firefighting aircraft. Officials warn more regions are at high risk, including Crete, Rhodes, the Peloponnese, and Western Macedonia.
Japanese weather officials have warned that extreme heat is likely to continue across the country. They said, temperatures may reach 38°C or higher in the Kinki region. In Toyooka City, it could hit 39°C. Kyoto City is also forecast to reach 38°C. This is attributed to a high-pressure system over Honshu, which is causing clear skies and intense heat. Heatstroke alerts are in place for 20 prefectures, including Kyoto and Nagasaki. Officials have urged people to stay cool, drink water and salt, and rest often. Many have already been hospitalized with heatstroke. Some cases have been fatal.