Wildfires rage across Southern Europe triggering mass evacuations in Spain, France, and Italy

Severe wildfires are sweeping across parts of Southern Europe, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists to flee.

In Spain and southwestern France, rapidly expanding blazes have prompted emergency declarations. Flames have reached the outskirts of Bordeaux as well as regions surrounding Madrid and Ávila. Reports on total evacuations across both countries range between 260,000 and over 300,000 people. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that "the priority is saving lives," while French authorities announced the deployment of military aircraft and 1.5 million protective masks.

Meanwhile in southern Italy, a major fire in Apulia's Gargano peninsula led to emergency maritime rescues. Italian Coast Guard vessels evacuated over a thousand tourists from resorts near Peschici and Vieste as flames pushed toward Molise, forcing road closures and blocking regional train services.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero.