- Villages near Athens were evacuated due to two uncontrolled wildfires fanned by strong winds, though no casualties have been reported
- In recent weeks, Greece has experienced more than 500 wildfires and, like other Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey and Tunisia, has recorded its highest temperatures in decades
- The Greek government has announced an aid package worth €500 million for Evia and the Attica region around Athens
ATHENS, Greece: Villages near Athens were evacuated due to two uncontrolled wildfires fanned by strong winds, though no casualties have been reported.
In recent weeks, Greece has experienced more than 500 wildfires and, like other Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey and Tunisia, has recorded its highest temperatures in decades.
A mountain side near the port town of Lavrio, some 40 miles south of Athens, was engulfed by flames that sent thick plumes of smoke over a beach frequented by windsurfers.
Supported by six water-bombing planes and six helicopters, at least 91 firefighters attempted to contain the fire, while three villages were ordered to evacuate.
Five helicopters and five firefighting planes were dispatched to Vilia, just over 50 km from Athens, where authorities confirmed a separate blaze broke out in a forest near the village.
In August, the island of Evia near Athens witnessed the largest fire, which continued over a week before being contained. It destroyed large areas of forest north of the island and forced the evacuation of thousands of people by sea.
The Greek government has announced an aid package worth €500 million for Evia and the Attica region around Athens, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologised for the authorities’ failure to contain the fires.
