Greece Faces Urgent Wildfire Evacuations as Summer Blazes Intensify
Greek authorities have issued evacuation orders for several houses and hospitals in at least five smaller towns northeast of Athens due to the threats posed by raging wildfires. This alarming situation has been confirmed by the local fire department and reported by the news agency AFP, although the specific number of individuals affected by the evacuation has yet to be disclosed.
Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire department, shared the challenges faced by the firefighting teams: "We have fought tirelessly throughout the night, but despite a superhuman effort, the fire has developed rapidly." Among the affected, two hospitals, including a children's hospital in the village of Penteli, were evacuated by sunrise on Monday morning.
Currently, 510 firefighters are on the frontline battling the stubborn flames. The response team has also mobilized 152 vehicles and 29 aircraft to aid in the firefighting efforts. To ensure the safety of residents, an SMS alert system has been employed, guiding those in the evacuation zone toward safe escape routes.
This latest wildfire is part of a series of devastating blazes that have struck Greece and other European countries throughout the summer months. Just a day prior, an intense wildfire led to the evacuation of the city of Marathon, forcing its 30,000 residents to flee. Additionally, residents of the nearby village of Varnavas were compelled to abandon their homes.
In light of the urgent situation, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his vacation and returned to Athens on Sunday to oversee the wildfire response. Meanwhile, Vassilis Kikilias, Greece's Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, warned that roughly half of the country remains at a high risk of wildfire outbreaks due to soaring temperatures, strong winds, and ongoing drought conditions.
This summer has marked Greece's hottest on record, with extreme temperatures being associated with the broader effects of global climate change. As the country grapples with these severe environmental challenges, the ongoing wildfire crisis serves as a reminder of the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate resilience efforts.
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