Latest Headlines and Breaking News from Around the World

Fresh news

for 2023

Summary

• Devastating wildfires are continuing to sweep through Greece for a sixth consecutive day
• Mass evacuations have been ordered on several Greek islands, with tens of thousands taken to safety
• Searing temperatures and high winds are set to continue until Wednesday
• Countries from around the world have dispatched support to the fire-afflicted nation

Corfu situation 'better now', says deputy mayor

Theofanis Skembris, the deputy mayor of North Corfu, has said that most fires on the island are under control. 

"The situation on the island is better now," he told the British BBC. "Most of the fires are under control. There are firefighting airplanes helping. I believe that everything will be over soon."

The official claimed fires were started deliberately, saying the fire department's "unofficial assumption is that it was arson - fires can't start simultaneously in four different places."

However, he said an investigation was first needed. 

UK gov deploys team to support nationals in Greece 

The British government says it has sent a "rapid deployment team" to help its nationals on Rhodes. 

On Twitter, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said their "safety is our top priority", adding UK officials were in "close contact" with their Greek counterparts. 

Red weather warnings still in force across Greece

Red weather warnings remain in place around Greece, amid a devastating heatwave. 

Temperatures will widely be in the high 30s and low 40s on Monday, with strong gusts of wind between 32 and 48 kph causing a particular headache for firefighters in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. 

Weather conditions look set to improve from Wednesday, as winds ease and temperatures cool down to the low 30s. 

On Sunday, Greece hit its joint fourth-highest temperature on record, with the mercury climbing to 46.4 in Gythio. 

Egypt dispatches aid to Greece

Egypt is sending Chinooks to help Greece fight wildfires, it announced on Sunday. 

Cairo will send three helicopters, equipped with advanced equipment to put out fires, Egyptian Armed Forces’ Spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez said in a statement.

Egypt's assistance is part of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directive to help countries in crisis, the spokesman added. 

Thousands evacuated from Corfu - fire service

Nearly 2,500 people were evacuated in Corfu overnight, according to a spokesperson for the Greek island's fire service. 

Residents and holidaymakers in the north were asked to leave their homes as a precautionary measure. 

The fire broke out on Sunday and continues to rage in the touristic hotspot. 

Firefighters have dispatched two helicopters, but baking temperatures and high winds today could possibly hamper their efforts and worsen the blaze.  

(AFP)

Good morning, this is the Euronews live blog.

We'll be providing up-to-the-minute coverage of the devastating wildfires currently sweeping through Greece.