Terrified homeowners jump into the sea to escape approaching Greek wildfires by boat

Greek Red Cross volunteers rescued families trapped in the sea after they waded into deep water to escape wildfires this week.

The blaze broke out at noon in Vrachnaiika, western Greece, on Tuesday and raged on until late on Wednesday.

Footage shows the rescuers approaching the shore in a lifeboat in the dark while flames rage in the background.

They are seen hauling terrified families and their pets into the boat amid thick smoke and glowing embers falling around them.

The fires were so fierce that the sky was almost completely blackened by ash, with no visible moonlight or starlight.

Fire crews around the country have been battling a wave of severe wildfires triggered by hot and dry conditions across southern Europe.

A major blaze just outside the southern port city of Patras nearly began buurning through residential areas before firefighters stopped it just in time.

Local authorities believe it may have been caused by arsonists and have arrested three people.

Tourists have also fled parts of the Greek isles of Zakynthos and kefalonia due to fires.

Meanwhile a third person died in wildfires in central Spain, where officials have declared a ‘serious’ threat to life.

The 37-year-old volunteer firefighter suffered fatal burns north of Madrid.

Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania have also been battling wildfires, joining Spain and Greece in requesting firefighting planes and helicopter assistance from the EU’s emergency response agency.

The agency’s assistance scheme has been activated more times this year so far than in the entirety of 2024.

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