Battling winds and fires in Greece
Despite containment efforts, a large forest and bush fire southeast of Athens, Greece, continues to rage. The fire has spread to large areas of the Peloponnese, the region around Athens, and the island of Euboea, with deep red zones visible on maps[1].
The fire is also ongoing in central Greece and the northwest of the Peloponnese peninsula. High warning levels have been issued for Crete, the Cyclades islands, and the peninsula of Chalkidiki, as the fire danger remains extremely high due to persistent drought and strong winds[2].
The fire has been located in the affected villages, and it is believed to have started at a point where a gas cylinder was found[1]. Numerous houses have been destroyed, but the exact extent of the damage is not yet known[1].
Approximately 400 people have been rescued from dangerous situations due to the fire[1]. One fatality has been reported, a man whose isolated house was surrounded by flames[1].
The strong to stormy winds keep reigniting the fire and creating new hotspots, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the situation[1]. Many villages in the vicinity of the Athens fire have been evacuated[1].
Authorities are actively investigating multiple causes for the fire, including arson. The mayor of a nearby village suspects arson as the cause, but police and fire service investigations also suggest the fire was likely caused by a faulty electrical cable[1]. Two technicians from the state distribution network operator (HEDNO) have been temporarily arrested for allegedly failing to maintain the power line properly, which sparked the blaze[1].
The Greek Arson Crimes Division has dispatched teams to investigate the large number of wildfires currently burning across Greece, including those near Athens. Several suspects have been detained on arson charges in other parts of the country[3][4][5].
The risk of new fires remains high, and investigations are ongoing amid challenging weather conditions. The fire is being fought by numerous water-dropping helicopters and aircraft.
[1] ERTnews
[2] Greek Civil Protection Agency
[3] The Guardian
[4] BBC News
[5] Reuters
- The ongoing investigation suggests that the fire near Athens might have been caused by arson, similar to numerous wildfires across Greece.
- As the fire danger persists, high warning levels have been issued for areas including Crete, Cyclades islands, and Chalkidiki due to the high risk of new fires, especially in the face of general-news like persistent drought and strong winds.
