Greek Blaze Claims Lives of Four, Contributed by Intense Winds
In the heart of southeast Athens, a tragic forest fire has claimed at least one life, marking a grim start to Greece's ongoing wildfire crisis. The country is currently grappling with more than 100 active fires, primarily affecting regions such as Peloponnese, Epirus, and islands like Chios and Zakynthos.
The scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 35°C, and extreme drought conditions have contributed to the wildfires' rapid spread and significant damage. The crisis has resulted in the destruction of homes, farms, factories, and industrial buildings, leading to multiple evacuations of villages and coastal communities. Roads, including the Patra-Pyrgos highway, have been closed due to the fires.
Dozens of residents and tourists have been hospitalized for smoke inhalation, while at least 13 firefighters have sustained burns and other injuries during firefighting efforts. The death toll includes at least one confirmed fatality near Athens' East Attica region over the weekend, and the devastating fires around Patras, Greece’s third-largest city, continue unabated.
International and national responses have been swift and substantial. Nearly 5,000 firefighters have been deployed, accompanied by 33 firefighting aircraft. Greece has also requested additional planes through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, as firefighting resources are stretched across southern Europe due to widespread drought and heat waves.
Two weeks ago, a fire near Athens forced evacuations from buildings after a prolonged heat wave with temperatures above 45°C. The bodies of two Vietnamese tourists were found on the beach of Sarakiniko on the island of Milos. Strong winds have led to the suspension of maritime traffic in the Aegean Sea, and most ferries in the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands are stranded in Piraeus, the main port near Athens.
The Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported the death and destruction caused by the forest fire in the village of Togani, where dozens of houses have been destroyed. In the village of Keratea, an elderly person died in their house destroyed by the fire, as reported by ERT. A violent fire occurred in Keratea, as reported by Greek authorities.
As the crisis continues, Greece seeks European help to fight the fires, but specific details are yet to be disclosed. More than 190 firefighters, including 44 trucks, seven helicopters, and eleven water-bombing aircraft, are battling the fire south of Athens. Three ferries departed for Paros, Santorini in the Cyclades, and Crete by the end of the morning.
The wildfires in Greece have resulted in four deaths today, underscoring the urgency for continued firefighting efforts and international cooperation to contain the crisis.
- The general-news in Greece today is dominated by the wildfires that have spread to various regions like Port Athens, Epirus, Chios, Zakynthos, and Patras, also impacting the crime-and-justice sector with numerous evacuations and hospitalizations for smoke inhalation.
- In addition to the wildfire damage, accidents on the roads have increased due to the poor weather conditions, with the Patra-Pyrgos highway closed and ferries in the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands stranded in Piraeus.
