Fierce Flames: Mediterranean Wildfires Rage Amidst Heatwaves

Firefighters faced raging wildfires in three provinces in Turkey and near a tourist resort in Albania on Monday. These fires were aggravated by strong winds after enduring heat across the Mediterranean. Dense smoke filled the sky in Turkey's Black Sea province of Karabuk, located roughly 200 kilometers north of Ankara, where a six-day wildfire prompted evacuations and devastated forests.

In Turkey's northwestern Bursa province, three firefighters tragically lost their lives when their vehicle crashed during firefight operations, as confirmed by the Forestry Ministry. Crews continued battling blazes in various regions, necessitating the evacuation of over 3,600 residents from settlements in Mersin and Antalya. The region has been plagued by numerous wildfires recently, claiming 10 firefighters' lives in Eskisehir alone last week.

Across the Mediterranean, hot and dry conditions have historically prevailed, but escalating heatwaves have intensified wildfires amidst climbing global temperatures. Albania witnessed efforts by firefighters and the army to curb a looming threat towards the coastal city of Saranda. Meanwhile, aid from Bulgaria complemented Greece's evacuation efforts, as Serbia's rainy conditions brought relief by quelling over 100 wildfires.

(With inputs from agencies.)