Southern Europe battered by fire, flood and wind in week of weather chaos
Iain Hoey
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Severe weather and wildfires strike southern Europe amid record heat
Extreme weather events have swept across southern Europe in recent days, with severe storms, wildfires and heat-related damage reported in Croatia, Serbia, Spain and France.
Each country has faced a distinct set of challenges, ranging from violent hailstorms and floods to fast-spreading fires fuelled by drought and strong winds.
The disruption has led to evacuations, injuries, damage to infrastructure, and major emergency response efforts.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the events in each country, drawing from coverage by AP, Reuters and the BBC.
Storm causes injuries and flooding in Croatia and Serbia
Source: AP News
Violent hailstorm hits coastal Croatia
A powerful storm swept through the Croatian city of Split on Tuesday, bringing hail, strong winds and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The Poljud soccer stadium suffered roof and pitch damage, while an unmanned tourist boat sank after being struck by a ferry that broke free from its moorings in the Adriatic port.
At least three people were injured.
Storm spreads through the Balkans
After affecting Croatia, the storm continued into Bosnia and Serbia, causing further damage and disrupting air traffic at Belgrade Airport.
In the Serbian capital, a crane collapsed at a construction site and at least one person was injured.
The weather followed a regional heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C, and marked the start of a cooler period, according to meteorologists.
Fires and drought pressure Serbia
Meanwhile, firefighters in Serbia battled over 600 wildfires on Monday alone, with six injuries reported.
Emergency measures were introduced in three municipalities in the south.
A senior official said: “Many villages were jeopardised.
“We have a number of burnt and damaged properties but we have managed to save many too.”
The fires followed a severe drought that has endangered crops and led to drinking water restrictions.
Low river levels on the Danube and Sava have also raised concerns.
Thousands ordered indoors as wildfires spread in Spain
Source: Reuters
Catalonia blaze triggers mass shelter-in-place order
Spanish authorities instructed over 18,000 residents in Tarragona province to remain indoors on Tuesday due to an uncontrolled wildfire in the mountainous Pauls area.
Rough terrain and wind gusts of up to 90 km/h hindered firefighting efforts.
Approximately 3,000 hectares of land have burned, with about 30 percent falling within the Ports Natural Park.
Overnight fear and emergency mobilisation
Residents in nearby Xerta and Aldover reported a night of fear and uncertainty as fires approached their homes.
“Last night, because of the wind that was blowing the fire and the smoke, we couldn’t leave our house.
“Terrible, this has never been seen before,” said 76-year-old Rosa Veleda.
Authorities prevented the fire from crossing the Ebro River, which would have significantly worsened the situation.
National alert amid record temperatures
Spain experienced its hottest June on record, prompting a heightened alert for wildfires nationwide.
Two people were killed in a Catalonia wildfire earlier this month.
The military and more than 300 firefighters have been deployed to contain the current outbreak.
Marseille wildfire injures over 100 and halts city transport
Blaze reaches France’s second-largest city
A wildfire that broke out near Les Pennes-Mirabeau rapidly advanced toward Marseille on Tuesday, forcing hundreds to evacuate and tens of thousands to stay indoors.
By Wednesday, authorities reported the fire was in “net regression” but still not fully extinguished.
Over 1,000 firefighters were deployed, supported by water-dropping aircraft.
Large-scale disruption and response
The fire burned approximately 720 hectares and temporarily shut down Marseille Provence Airport and regional rail services.
The city’s mayor, Benoît Payan, described the blaze as spreading at a rate of 1.2 km per minute.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said firefighters would work through the night.
Nine firefighters were injured, and 110 people in total were treated for smoke and related injuries.
Cause, conditions and national response
The fire was reportedly started by a car that caught fire on a motorway.
Marseille had not seen any rainfall since May, and the region’s dry conditions, dense vegetation, and high winds contributed to the fire’s speed.
French President Emmanuel Macron, on a visit to the UK, expressed support for residents and emergency crews.
Elsewhere in France, wildfires also continued near Narbonne, burning 2,000 hectares.
Wider European context: fires and droughts extend to Greece and beyond
Source: BBC
Multiple fires across Europe
Alongside those in France and Spain, Greece also reported 41 wildfires on Monday.
While most were quickly contained, seven remained active by the evening.
The wave of fires follows an early summer heatwave that has impacted much of southern and western Europe.
Extreme heat intensifies risk
Meteorological agencies across the continent have linked the scale and frequency of the fires and storms to prolonged periods of hot, dry weather.
In Serbia, Slovenia and France, the absence of rainfall, high winds and rising temperatures have collectively worsened fire conditions and increased the likelihood of storms.
Southern Europe battered by fire, flood and wind in week of weather chaos: Summary
Across the Balkans, Spain and France, emergency services have been stretched by concurrent climate-related events: powerful storms in Croatia and Serbia, uncontrolled wildfires in Catalonia and Marseille, and extreme heatwaves compounding fire risk throughout the region.
Authorities continue to warn of the growing frequency of such events as climate patterns shift across Europe.
