Around 500 people, mostly tourists, were evacuated by boat from the coastal area of Agios Vasileios in Greece overnight as wildfires continued to rage across parts of Europe.

The operation unfolded rapidly after the individuals became trapped by fast-moving blazes near the popular tourist spot. Rescue vessels transported them to safety as smoke plumes filled the sky.

Global heating has made hot, dry and windy conditions in Spain at least 20 times more likely, according to experts.

The Greek evacuation comes as countries like Spain and France also battle significant fire outbreaks, intensifying concerns over the role of the climate crisis in exacerbating these natural disasters.

Climate Crisis Supercharges Fire Conditions

A new scientific analysis has linked the extreme heat, drought, and high winds fuelling Europe’s recent wildfires directly to global heating. Experts from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) consortium calculated that climate change has made the hot, dry, and windy conditions experienced in Spain at least 20 times more likely.

In France, similar conditions, conducive to large-scale blazes, were found to be twice as probable due to the climate crisis. The findings represent the latest research to firmly connect human-induced global heating to more frequent and intense weather extremes across the continent.

"Extremely Scary Findings" Warn Experts

The WWA consortium described their conclusions as "extremely scary findings," underscoring the severe and immediate impact of climate change on Europe's vulnerability to wildfires. These conditions create an environment where fires ignite easily, spread rapidly, and become exceptionally difficult to control.

The increasing frequency and intensity of these extreme weather patterns are putting immense pressure on emergency services and local communities, particularly in southern European regions accustomed to summer heat but unprepared for such amplified risks.

greek wildfire evacuation boat