Advertisement

In pictures: Deadly wildfires sweep through Mediterranean

ADANA, TURKEY - AUGUST 02: Smoke and flames rise as the fight against the fire continues in Adana, Turkey on August 02, 2021. It was stated that the fire started in the field and spread to the forest area. (Photo by Ozan Efeoglu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Smoke and flames rise as the fight against fire continues in Adana, Turkey. (Getty)

Deadly wildfires are sweeping through Mediterranean countries and regions including Turkey, Greece and the Italian island of Sicily.

Dramatic photos have emerged showing the extent of the damage as helicopter pilots and firefighters work to keep flames at bay.

The death toll from wildfires on Turkey's southern coast rose to eight on Sunday as firefighters battled for a fifth day to contain blazes raging in coastal resort towns.

Most of the fires in the country, totalling more than 100 in the last five days, have been contained, authorities said.

Read: Swimmers warned not to go in sea at popular beach after double sewage leak in Sussex town

MUGLA, TURKEY - AUGUST 02: Helicopters battle the forest fire broke out in Marmaris district of Mugla as ground and aerial extinguishing operations continue on August 02, 2021 in Mugla, Turkey. Turkish authorities maintain their tireless efforts to contain forest fires that erupted in various parts of the country, particularly the southern regions. (Photo by Omer Evren Atalay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Helicopters battle a forest fire in the Marmaris district of Mugla, Turkey, as ground and aerial extinguishing operations continue. (Getty)
TOPSHOT - This photograph shows a forest burning as a massive wildfire engulfed a Mediterranean resort at the Marmaris district of Mugla, on August 1 2021. - At least three people were reported dead on July 29, 2021 and more than 100 injured as firefighters battled blazes engulfing a Mediterranean resort region on Turkey's southern coast. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)
A forest burns as a massive wildfire engulfs a Mediterranean resort in the Marmaris district of Mugla, Turkey. (Getty)

However, fires were still spreading in Manavgat, Marmaris and the inland town of Milas, forestry minister Bekir Pakdemirli said.

Since Wednesday thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

Locals as well as support teams from Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Azerbaijan were deployed to help firefighters.

ANTALYA, TURKEY - AUGUST 02: A view of the damaged building and the area after forest fires in Kepezbeleni neighborhood in Akseki district of Antalya, Turkey on August 02, 2021. (Photo by Islam Yakut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A view of a damaged building and area after forest fires in the Kepezbeleni neighbourhood of Akseki in Antalya, Turkey. (Getty)
ANTALYA, TURKEY - AUGUST 01: Firefighters fight against forest fires broke out in Antalya as ground and aerial extinguishing operations continue on August 01, 2021 in Antalya, Turkey. Turkish authorities maintain their tireless efforts to contain forest fires that erupted in various parts of the country, particularly the southern regions. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Firefighters fight fires in Antalya, Turkey. (Getty)
ANTALYA, TURKEY - AUGUST 01: Firefighters fight against forest fires broke out in Antalya as ground and aerial extinguishing operations continue on August 01, 2021 in Antalya, Turkey. Turkish authorities maintain their tireless efforts to contain forest fires that erupted in various parts of the country, particularly the southern regions. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Firefighters fight fires as ground and aerial extinguishing operations continue in Antalya, Turkey. (Getty)

The Turkish government pledged to rebuild damaged homes and compensate for losses in areas affected by the fires.

The EU said it had helped mobilise three fire-fighting planes to Turkey on Sunday, one from Croatia and two from Spain, after Turkey activated a disaster response scheme to request help from other European countries.

In neighbouring Greece, firefighters were trying to contain a wildfire burning in the west of the country that destroyed houses and left 15 citizens in hospital with breathing problems on Saturday, authorities said.

ADANA, TURKEY - AUGUST 02: Smoke and flames rise as the fight against the fire continues in Adana, Turkey on August 02, 2021. It was stated that the fire started in the field and spread to the forest area. (Photo by Ozan Efeoglu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Smoke and flames rise as the fight against the fire continues in Adana, Turkey. (Getty)
CATANIA, ITALY â AUGUST 01: Smoke rises as southern Italy still burning, the fires that have hit Sicily in recent days do not subside and new outbreaks are developing in many areas affected by a strong heat wave on August 01, 2021. The interventions carried out by the firefighters have no end in Sicily, they have been over 250 in the last 24 hours, many of these fires that have affected Catania have kept the firefighters busy until late at night, the numerous fires, including arson, have created too much damage by making the air unbreathable, making it necessary in some cases to evacuate the inhabitants and leading to the closure of the Catania airport for a few hours. Catania August 01, 2021. (Photo by Salvatore Allegra/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Smoke rises in Sicily on Sunday as fires continue to burn. (Getty)
CATANIA, ITALY â AUGUST 01: A view of the aftermath of the wildfires as southern Italy still burning, the fires that have hit Sicily in recent days do not subside and new outbreaks are developing in many areas affected by a strong heat wave on August 01, 2021. The interventions carried out by the firefighters have no end in Sicily, they have been over 250 in the last 24 hours, many of these fires that have affected Catania have kept the firefighters busy until late at night, the numerous fires, including arson, have created too much damage by making the air unbreathable, making it necessary in some cases to evacuate the inhabitants and leading to the closure of the Catania airport for a few hours. Catania August 01, 2021. (Photo by Salvatore Allegra/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A view of the aftermath of wildfires in Sicily. (Getty)

Temperatures have been high in much of the country in recent days and are expected to reach 44C on Monday and Tuesday.

On Sicily, firemen said on Saturday they were battling for a second straight day wildfires that reached the town of Catania, forcing people to leave their homes and the local airport to temporarily shut down.

Watch: Turkish wildfires ravage beach resorts as tourists flee