Fast-moving wildfires have reached the outskirts of Patras, Greece’s third-largest city, forcing mass evacuations, including a children’s hospital, and destroying thousands of hectares in the surrounding region. Entire villages have been emptied, homes and businesses lost, and hundreds of vehicles incinerated. Strong winds and soaring temperatures, reaching 38°C, have worsened the crisis, while smoke has caused respiratory problems for many residents. Across Greece, over 4,800 firefighters are battling more than 20 blazes, with EU water bombers requested for support. The crisis is part of a broader southern Europe heatwave, with deadly fires in Spain, large outbreaks in Portugal, Albania, and Italy, and record-high temperatures threatening lives and infrastructure. Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change. See also UK article ‘fourth heatwave’.