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firefighters

Europe News

Italy's firefighting planes return home after scorching summer

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Explosion near Acropolis collapses building in Athens’ Plaka, injuring two

A powerful explosion in Athens’ historic Plaka district brought down a two-storey building near the Acropolis on Friday 25 September 2026, injuring at least two people. The cause remains under investigation, although a gas leak is suspected.

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Huge wildfire in Valencia region burns 690 hectares after Spain’s hottest summer

Spain’s firefighters were battling a major wildfire in Tuéjar, in the Valencia region, on 15 September, after flames spread through the Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve.

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Algeria’s north-east scorched by deadly wildfires, national mourning declared

Deadly wildfires have devastated villages in Algeria’s Jijel province, nearly 350 kilometres east of Algiers, Residents are assessing the damage as crews work to restore electricity and clear affected areas.

Europe News

US comedy star trapped in Hermès toilet for 80 minutes

What started as a brief visit to a Hermès store ended badly for US comedian Zarna Garg: she was stuck for 80 minutes in the Berlin shop's toilet and now blames the retailer.

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Europe News

French driver finds 1.5 metre boa constrictor under car bonnet

A motorist near Toulouse in southern France found what appeared to be a royal boa or boa constrictor under the bonnet of his car as he was changing the battery.

Economy

Which European countries have the most firefighters?

Firefighters are becoming increasingly important as wildfires affect more countries across Europe. Firefighting capacity varies widely across the EU.

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Large fire breaks out at recycling centre in southeast London

A large fire breaks out at a recycling centre in Deptford, southeast London, as 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters tackle the blaze.

Europe News

Over 2,000 emergency personnel tackle wildfires in Portugal

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (source in Portuguese) has placed nine districts under orange warning until 18:00 this Tuesday, with the rest of mainland Portugal, except Lisbon, Setúbal and Faro, under yellow warning.

Europe News

Rescue ladder too short, woman jumps from 11th floor blaze in Berlin

The video shows how the woman made the two-storey drop and land safely in the basket of the ladder next to a firefighter.

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Belgium races to tame huge wildfire 'spreading towards Germany'

Firefighters battle the advancing flames in eastern Belgium as thick smoke and difficult terrain complicate efforts to contain the blaze.

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France wildfire forces 525 people to flee as Landes forest burns

France evacuated about 500 people from the village of Luglon on Thursday, 13 August, as a fast-moving wildfire swept through drought-hit pine forest in the Landes.

Europe News

'Wall of fire' forces sea evacuation as European wildfires continue

As blazes strain fire services from the Mediterranean to the Midlands in the UK, questions are being asked about Europe's ability to deal with continued heatwaves.

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Colombia quake rescuers save woman after 36 hours trapped in rubble

A 32-year-old woman has been rescued alive in Pereira after spending 36 hours trapped beneath a collapsed building. Rescuers located her 10 hours before reaching her.

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Spain’s Huelva blaze threatens homes, 800 evacuated amid severe drought

A massive wildfire in Spain’s Huelva province has forced 800 evacuations, burned around 20,000 hectares and comes during Europe’s worsening drought crisis.

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Firefighters battle wildfire in eastern Spain's Castellón

More than 300 firefighters and 21 aircraft are battling a wildfire in Tírig, eastern Spain, which has burned 810 hectares since breaking out on Friday.

Earth News

What are fire tornadoes and why are they so dangerous?

Fire tornadoes can rapidly change fire behaviour and make firefighting more dangerous.