ATHENS - Greece is currently grappling with several fierce wildfires as a severe heatwave continues to sweep across southern Europe.

In the past 24 hours, over 152 new fires have ignited in various parts of Greece, prompting the evacuation of thousands. Approximately 4,850 firefighters are actively engaged in efforts to control the blazes on multiple fronts.

The toll has been heavy, with at least three fatalities reported in Spain, Albania, and Turkey. Dozens more individuals, including firefighters, have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and burns.

Temperatures have exceeded 40°C (104°F) in numerous areas this week, with unprecedented records being set in France and Slovenia.

Evacuations are underway for thousands from the Greek tourist islands of Chios and Zakynthos. The city of Patras in the western Peloponnese experienced a harrowing night as flames consumed homes, businesses, and vehicles.

In Zakynthos (Zante), fire crews continue to battle three large fires stretching over 15 kilometers. There has been significant damage reported to homes, tourist infrastructure, and farmlands.

Vassilis Vathrakogiannis of the Greek fire brigade noted that at least 13 firefighters are receiving treatment for injuries such as burns. He cautioned that conditions may worsen in the coming days.

"Today poses another challenging day," he stated on Wednesday, "as wildfire risk remains very high across most regions."

Rescue operations include boats evacuating beachgoers stranded by advancing flames on Chios. Greek authorities have requested firefighting aircraft assistance from other European Union countries.

Elsewhere in Europe: Over 4,000 people were evacuated overnight from Spain's northwestern León province where a volunteer firefighter perished while fighting the blaze.

An equestrian center employee also succumbed after suffering serious burns near Madrid amidst strong winds propelling flames closer to homes.

The Spanish government has elevated its national emergency response level with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urging extreme caution amidst heightened fire risks.

Across Europe: France along with Italy and Balkan regions remain under heat alerts while temperatures hover above critical thresholds like 40°C (104°F). Slovenia recently recorded an unprecedented warm night registering no dip below 28°C (82°F).

This heatwave sees tragic loss - one Italian child died due to heatstroke earlier this week when temperatures soared around Rome among other cities facing red alert warnings.

A four-year-old Romanian boy found unconscious inside a car on Sardinia was airlifted but later succumbed following irreversible brain damage attributed primarily towards excessive heating exposure.