‘Red alert’ issued in the Balearic Islands as wildfires wreak havoc across Europe

Fire warnings have been issued in the Balearic Islands, as Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca battle temperatures of over 40c.

The warnings come amid violent wildfires across Europe, with 19,000 people on the Greek Island of Rhodes having been forced to evacuate in the last few days.

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The nearby island of Corfu is the latest to be issued evacuation notices, with fears the thickly-wooded Balearic Islands could be next.

Spain’s sweltering temperatures have left some area’s batting highs of over 40 degrees. The nations meteorological agency declared that the southern tip of Majorca, which is close to the popular holiday destinations of Palmanova, Santa Ponsa and Magalluf is on “extreme alert,”

Eastern tips of Majorca were at “extreme” risks of wildfires, whilst the islands of Ibiza and Menorca were also placed on ‘high alert.’

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Firefighters who spoke with the Majorca daily bulletin, wooded areas around the islands have now become like a “Tinderbox”.

According to the Evening Standard, an assessment by scientists determined that the climate change caused as a result of human behaviour is largely responsible for the alarming heatwaves that have swept southern Europe, China and North America this month — declaring its an ‘alarmingly overwhelming’ contributing factor.

Tiffany Ibe is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram