Wildfires scorch Greece as heatwave hits Europe

Spain, Portugal, Turkey and the Balkans have also battled wildfires in recent days

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PATRAS, Greece - Firefighters battled multiple wildfires across Greece on Aug 13, including blazes threatening villages and towns near the western city of Patras and on two tourist islands.

Fires have burned houses, farms and factories and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists since Aug 12. Dozens of people have been taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation since then, public broadcaster ERT reported. Thirteen firefighters have been treated for burns and other injuries, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a televised briefing on Aug 13.