Extreme weather in Europe caused four fatalities in storms in Switzerland and northern Italy, alongside wildfires displacing residents in Greece and Turkey.
In the Fontana area of the Maggia valley in Ticino, Switzerland, three bodies were recovered after a landslide. Additionally, a man was found dead at a hotel in Saas-Grund, likely caught by surprise in floodwaters.
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In the Binn area near the Italian border, another man has been missing since Saturday evening, according to police.
At the same time, high temperatures and strong winds ignited wildfires near Athens, Greece, and in Turkey’s Izmir district, leading to evacuations of residents and tourists.
Heavy rain has impacted both southern and western Switzerland, leading to evacuations at campsites along the River Maggia and causing part of the Visletto road bridge to collapse. In the nearby Lavizzara valley, one person has been reported missing.
In northern Switzerland, the River Rhone overflowed in multiple areas of Valais state, resulting in flooding on a road and railway line.
Meanwhile, northern Italy has also experienced floods, thunderstorms, and landslides across various regions. Firefighters in Piedmont conducted approximately 80 rescue operations, rescuing dozens of people. Among them were two adults and a three-month-old girl rescued from their car stranded between Montanaro and San Benigno Canavese due to rising waters.
In the Valle D’Aosta region, several villages became isolated due to overflowing streams.
Temperatures are set to increase in Greece and Turkey over the next two days, heightening the risk of more wildfires.
In Greece, firefighters are currently battling blazes south of Athens. Supported by 17 water-carrying aircraft, they are working to extinguish fires near the town of Keratea, located 22 miles south of the capital. Television footage showed at least four houses engulfed in flames. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for some residents and advised others to stay indoors and close windows to avoid smoke exposure.
In Turkey’s Selcuk district in Izmir, helicopters are reportedly being used as authorities warn holidaymakers that they may need to relocate due to a wildfire threat.
