The forest fires of Góis and Pedrogão Grande, which started on June 17, 2017, remained active and uncontrolled for 4 days, having spread to several neighboring municipalities, with an area of about 41,000 hectares. This fire has caused more than 250 injuries and 65 fatalities, the deadliest in the history of the country and the 11th deadliest in the world since 1900. In terms of economic and social damage, 48 companies were affected, leaving 370 jobs at risk. More than 500 houses were partially or totally destroyed by the fire. The economic losses amount to 500 million euros. The cause pointed out by the authorities in the case of the Góis and Pedrógão Grande fires was dry thunderstorm combined with very high temperatures (above 40⁰) and very intense and variable wind.

In October 15, 2017, more than 500 fires were registered in the center and north of the country, of which 33 were considered serious. The fires caused around 70 injured and 45 dead. A high number of houses and about 350 companies were destroyed by fire leaving hundreds of people unemployed. The total damage amounts to 350 million euros. An area of 54,000 hectares was consumed by the flames, including ~80% of the Pinhal de El-Rei area, planted in the 12th century in the district of Leiria. Fires spread rapidly due to anomalous weather conditions, with unusual temperatures for the season (above 30⁰), extreme drought conditions, and strong winds caused by the Ophelia hurricane that swept the coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

The epicenter was in the Aegean Sea, 20 km off Kos and about 10 km southwest of the coastal city of Bodrum in Turkey. The earthquake hit Mugla Province, where Marmaris and Bodrum are situated, popular tourist areas among citizens of various countries.

According to local news reports, more than 80 people were hospitalized and most of the victims were injured by collapsed buildings at the time of the earthquake. In the hospital in Bodrum, the injured are treated in the garden for fear of possible aftershocks, according to the information provided by the governor of the city of Bodrum, Bekir Yilmaz to the Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet”.

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A magnitude 6.7 earthquake

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Flood in Bodrum, Turkey, after the earthquake (Source: CNN, Turk)

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Damage caused by the tsunami