A European-wide fire-fighting force has helped Sweden to battle an unprecedented level of forest fires this summer.

So far, seven fire-fighting planes, seven helicopters, 60 vehicles and over 340 personnel have been offered through the EU's civil protection mechanism, thanks to Italy, France, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Portugal, Poland and Austria.

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Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said: "We have been working 24/7 to help Sweden. This is our duty in a Europe that protects and is close to citizens.

"Over the past week and weekend, a record level of EU support has been mobilised."

The European Commission’s Emergency Response Co-ordination Centre (ERCC), which monitors natural disasters 24/7, is in constant contact with the national civil protection authorities to co-ordinate assistance when disaster strikes.

“The fires in Sweden show that climate change is real and that no country is immune to natural disasters. This is why the Commission has proposed to strengthen EU civil protection response through rescEU – so that when multiple disasters hit member states, they are better prepared to confront them."