Southern Europe struck by a week of extreme weather: Floods, forest fires and strong winds
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Southern Europe has been ravaged by a series of extreme weather events, including violent storms, wildfires, and record-breaking heat, leaving a trail of destruction across Croatia, Serbia, Spain, and France.
In Croatia and Serbia, a powerful storm swept through the region, damaging infrastructure and disrupting air traffic. In Split, hail and fierce winds tore through buildings, sinking a tourist boat and damaging the Poljud soccer stadium. The storm continued into Bosnia and Serbia, where a crane collapse injured at least one person.
Serbia also reported over 600 wildfires in a single day, prompting emergency declarations in three municipalities.
Spain faced a major wildfire in Tarragona province, where over 18,000 residents were ordered to shelter indoors. Gusts reaching 90 km/h and rugged terrain hindered firefighting efforts as 3,000 hectares burned, including parts of the Ports Natural Park. Residents described terrifying scenes as flames approached their homes.
In France, a fast-moving wildfire near Marseille injured over 100 people and forced mass evacuations. The blaze, fueled by dry conditions and high winds, spread at a rate of 1.2 km per minute and temporarily shut down the Marseille Provence Airport. Over 1,000 firefighters battled the flames, which were reportedly sparked by a car fire. Additional wildfires near Narbonne burned 2,000 hectares.
Greece also reported 41 wildfires on Monday, with seven still active by evening. Meteorologists across Europe have linked the surge in fires and storms to prolonged heatwaves and drought conditions, warning that such events are becoming more frequent and severe.
Authorities across the region remain on high alert as emergency services continue to respond to the unfolding crisis.
Sources:
- International Fire & Safety Journal – "Southern Europe Battered by Fire, Flood and Wind in Week of Weather Chaos"
- Ground Report – "Storm Herminia Brings Flooding and Chaos Across Europe"
- Netweather – "Europe Continues to See Extremes of Weather"
- World Weather Online – "Hailstorms & Flash Floods in Central France"
- Daily Express – "Europe to Be Battered by 402-Mile Wall of Rain"
- CGTN Europe – "How Europe Suffered a Year of Unprecedentedly Extreme Weather"
- Sky News – "Four Dead After Flooding and Landslides in Switzerland and Northern Italy"
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License
Kalemegdan, Belgrade - Storm over Belgrade
Date
24 May 2012, 17:01:05
Source
Flickr: Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade - Chasing the Storm
Author
Permission
(Reusing this fle)
This image, which was originally posted to Flickr, was uploaded to Commons using Flickr upload bot on 5 August 2012, 23:21 by Zoupan. On that date, it was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the license indicated.