Greece Faces Devastating Forest Fires: Urgent Evacuations and Efforts Underway
A catastrophic fire outbreak began around noon on Saturday, rapidly spreading across several areas and forcing multiple evacuation orders to be issued. Alarming reports from BBC indicate that flames have reached heights of up to 25 meters. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the firefighting operations, described the situation as critical, stating during a press conference, "Despite superhuman efforts overnight, the fire developed rapidly."
The consequences of the blaze have been severe, with several homes caught in the flames, as evidenced by photojournalist Angelos Tzortzinis of AFP. By Monday, the fires threatened neighborhoods in the northern suburbs of Athens, prompting urgent recommendations for residents to vacate their homes, particularly those in the historic city of Marathon, as reported by Reuters.
Evacuations have also targeted healthcare facilities, including a children's hospital in Penteli which was ordered to evacuate overnight. According to the country’s health minister on platform X, the evacuation was completed early Monday morning, alleviating fears for the young patients involved.
A formidable response is underway, with over 500 firefighters and more than 30 aircraft deployed to combat the infernos. Unfortunately, the situation has led to injuries, with several individuals, including at least one firefighter, hospitalized due to burns and respiratory issues.
Water bombings conducted by aircraft aim to halt the fire's progression, as latest photos from Aristidis Vafeiadakis of TT illustrate the intensity of the firefighting efforts.
Despite these measures, strong winds overnight have complicated the firefighting operations. Vathrakogiannis noted that these winds have significantly accelerated the fire's spread, creating new fronts that challenge ongoing containment measures. In light of the crisis, a high-level meeting involving firefighters, local authorities, and mayors has been convened to strategize effective firefighting tactics.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has cut short his vacation to directly address the situation in Athens. This summer has been devastating for the country, experiencing hundreds of forest fires in what has been marked as the hottest summer on record.
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