Read the video transcript here
The south of Turkey has been on fire for a week. Extreme heat of over 45 degrees Celsius, persistent drought and strong winds ensure that the fires continue to spread. More than 150 fires had broken out in the past few days. Eight people died, countless animals perished in the flames. Villagers had to leave their homes, and some residents and tourists had to be evacuated by boat. The situation near Muğla is critical, where the fire came within one kilometer of the Kemerköy coal-fired power plant on Tuesday evening. The wind turned, the power plant was initially spared. The government is increasingly being criticized for not being adequately prepared for the situation.The residents of the village of Kızıldağ are also fighting the fire with simple means and are demanding quick help from the air.
Mustafa Unal, local resident:
“As you can see, we try this way.
But we just need a plane, nothing else.
Otherwise we can't get to the areas up there, you see.
We cut down trees, that works.
But we urgently need a plane here. "
Meanwhile, planes and helicopters from Spain, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Iran are in action against the forest fires in Turkey.
The fires are raging in Greece too The situation on the outskirts of Athens is particularly dramatic.
Thousands had to leave their homes, and more than 500 people were forced to spend the night in hotels.
Only a few stayed on site.
Panagiotis, local resident:
»I saved the animals, that's why I stayed.
I get goosebumps when I talk about it.
All the houses around me are burned, nothing is left.
My roof caught fire, but at least it didn't penetrate inside and cause damage. "
Authorities asked people with breathing difficulties to stay in their homes.
The fire ate its way from the neighboring pine forests to the central square of the Athens suburb of Varibobi.
At times, the electricity and the train service went out, parts of the motorway were closed.
On the cooler Wednesday morning, the fire was partially contained.
There is still no improvement in sight: the heat wave in southern Europe is expected to continue until the weekend.
