The Prime Minister of Greece has issued a warning to tourists intending to travel to the country this summer as heatwaves and wildfires grip the nation.
Speaking earlier this week, Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that this summer was on course to be “dangerous” as wildfires broke out across the country, including two near the country’s capital Athens.
The threat was so great that authorities reportedly sent messages to some residents asking them to evacuate.
The latest warning by the Greek Prime Minister comes as Europe is battered by nearly 40C heat that has led to much drier and hotter conditions.
The Independent reported that Mr Mitsotakis said: “It is a summer which is expected to be particularly dangerous… the most difficult times are still ahead of us.
“We had a very difficult June in terms of weather conditions with high drought and unusually high gusts of wind for the season.”
Mr Mitsotakis isn’t the first to issue a travel warning about Greece. Earlier this week, airline Jet2 issued an alert to holidaymakers in specific regions of the country. Publishing a statement online, the airline said: “We are aware of the ongoing situation regarding wildfires in the Kardamena area of Kos.
“The safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our first priority and we would like to advise our customers on the island to follow the guidance of the local authorities.”
The airline added: “Our Friendly Red Team are on hand to assist you and we will issue updates to our customers via SMS and email, should the situation change.”
Alongside Greece, Turkey has also been in the midst of its own wildfire crisis with Britons warned they could have to leave after flames spread across southeastern parts of the country.
Last week, helicopters were deployed in the Diyarbakir and Mardi provinces to drop water on the fires to put them out whilst several houses and two hotels were evacuated.
Following the fires, the Foreign Office updated its extreme temperature advice about wildfires. They said: “Wildfires are dangerous and unpredictable. They can start easily and spread quickly, particularly during times of extreme heat. Causing a forest fire can be a criminal offence, even if unintentional.
“You should extinguish cigarette ends properly, not leave empty bottles behind, follow local rules and signs when lighting barbecues; often barbecues are only allowed in designated areas on a concrete base, and always douse barbecues before leaving.”