A forest fire has wreaked havoc on several seaside towns east of Athens, Greece. This devastating blaze has led to extensive damage to homes and prompted the evacuation of numerous residents from a beloved tourist locale.
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Located near Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, the fire has already necessitated the evacuation of five villages, as confirmed by brave firefighters on the front lines.
Just a few days prior, a wildfire on Chios—Greece’s fifth-largest island—devastated more than 4,000 hectares of land.
“Ground and aerial forces are waging an enormous battle against the flames,” stated Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire service. This sentiment was echoed by another official who remarked, “This is a difficult fire fuelled by strong winds.”
Kostas Tsiguas, the president of the firefighters’ union, reported that “at least 50 people have been relocated from the affected area” to ensure their safety.
As temperatures soared to a blistering 40°C (104°F) in the Athens region, forecasts indicate that this heatwave may persist until Saturday.
In the last 24 hours alone, Greece has experienced a staggering 45 fire outbreaks, underscoring the immense challenge faced by firefighting personnel. In response to the threat, local authorities have closed the main coastal avenue connecting Athens to Cape Sounion, which lies near the affected area.
This region is renowned for its beauty and popularity among both foreign tourists and Greek residents; many Athenians maintain second homes or enjoy summer holidays here.
Stavros Petropoulos, the Deputy Mayor of Palaia Fokaia, characterized the situation as “dramatic.” He mentioned on national television, “Residents reported that the fire began due to a spark from a faulty electric cable.”
In recent years, Greece has found itself increasingly vulnerable to summer wildfires, driven by strong winds, drought conditions, and soaring temperatures—a troubling trend linked to climate change.
“We must act swiftly and decisively,” Petropoulos added, as the community rallies to combat this crisis.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
