Greece fights with wild fires evacuating residents near Athens

Greece is fighting five major fires across the country, with employees evacuating residents in a solid -affected region only 30 km (18.6 miles) north of Athens.

The smell of wood burning was carried to Central Athens, as Greece requested help from the European Union in combating the widespread explosion.

The ongoing emergency situation comes against the background of a strong heat wave. Temperatures are planned to reach 44 ° C on Sunday, with the final heat expected to continue the bigger part of the weekend.

“We are injured firefighters, human life was at risk, the properties were burned, and the forest areas were destroyed,” said Greece’s climate crisis and Civil Protection Minister Janice Kefalogianis.

Strong winds and burning temperatures have ignited the flames. Greece has officially requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six additional firefighters.

In Attica, the region of Athens, a fire that began in Afidon on Saturday, spread quickly through Drozigi, Crines and Agios Stefanos, forcing residents to flee.

While the fire service says the main front is containing the scattered hot spots continues to burn. More than 200 firefighters, supported by helicopters and water bombing, are still working in the area.

On the island of Evia, employees said a second flame near the Sinth had received “out of control”, moving quickly to Aphrats.

Several villages, including Pournos and Mistros, were left without electricity after flames destroyed pylons and power lines.

So far, six firefighters have been taken to hospital with burns and inhalation of smoke, as 115 people continue to fight the flames.

“Destruction is incomparable,” said Dirfyon-Messapion Mayor Jorgos Psati.

In Kitty, a third fire covers much of the island, with residents describing scenes of “complete destruction”. Several settlements have been evacuated, and coastal security, aided by private boats, saved 139 people from Limnionas Beach, transporting them safely to the port of Capsali.

A fourth fire broke out on Saturday morning on Saturday morning in the Polytea area on Saturday morning and increased later during the day.

Five emergency signals were sent through the 112 Greece system, calling for people to leave numerous villages. Strong winds make it difficult for the fire department, such as 84 firefighters, 30 vehicles and seven aircraft deal with the flame.

Meanwhile, in the area of Crete in Chania, the fifth fire rages in Temenia. The fire began in two separate places and quickly spread, destroying at least two homes.

Officials Said Severral Regions Remained Under Further Fire Threats, Including The Ionian Islands, Western Greece, The Peloponnese, Central Greece, Atica, Epirus, Western Macedonia Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros), Thessaly (Magnesia, Larisa, Trikala), The South Aegean (Rhodes) and Crette.

Last month, fires on Greece’s fifth largest island, in the North Aegean, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 decares) land.

In early July, a fire on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.