Lesbos wildfire rages as tourists and residents told to leave town on Greek island | World News

A wildfire has broken out on the Greek island of Lesbos, with authorities ordering residents to leave a popular tourist town.

The blaze started on Saturday morning, according to the Cyprus Reporter, adding that the resort town of Vatera had been “swallowed” by the blaze.

Homes and tourist properties have been evacuated in the area, with buses and boats provided to help people leave.

The local fire department said in an emergency meeting that 50 firefighters were battling the blaze that was being blown by strong winds. Volunteers also helped with the firefighting.

Local media outlet Iefimerida said flames had reached the sea in some places and some properties had been burned, with coastguards reportedly saving nine people from the beach.

Vatera, an 8 km (five mile) long beach, is a popular tourist destination on the island, with many holiday homes in the resort town.

It came as fires raged in Athens on the Greek mainland, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.

Although wildfires are no stranger to wildfires, country officials say this summer has been one of the harshest ever in the Mediterranean.

Temperatures across Europe have spiked in the last week, with the UK even experiencing the following bushfires mercury topped 40.3C For the first time.

French and Spanish authorities have also dealt with forest fires caused by intense heat.