Greece set for second heatwave

Emergency medical and firefighting services were put on alert yesterday when Greece braced for a second heatwave, weeks after the first caused hundreds of wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres of forest and farmland.

Emergency medical and firefighting services were put on alert yesterday when Greece braced for a second heatwave, weeks after the first caused hundreds of wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres of forest and farmland.

Temperatures were expected to climb steadily to top 43C (109F) by midweek before dropping again at the weekend, meteorologists said.

A two-week heatwave that scorched southeastern Europe earlier this month led to thousands of forest fires and left more than 50 people dead.

Experts said that while the renewed heatwave in Greece was expected to be brief, conditions would be similar to those earlier this month when high temperatures and strong winds caused more than 1,000 fires around the country.

Firefighters and soldiers have increased patrols through forests to prevent the outbreak and spread of new fires. Officials have also warned the public not to travel around Athens and other urban centres.