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Old 13-08-24, 09:24   #1
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Movies Greek Wildfire Moves Like Lightning-Officials Evacuate & Called For HELP

Greek Officials Evacuate Residents as Wildfire Moves Like Lightning

More than 670 firefighters working to control blaze that has formed 12-mile front on outskirts of Athens

The Guardian 13 AUG 2024








An aerial view of smoke from the wildfire in East Attica, Greece on Monday.































The Mediterranean nation has experienced an exceptionally hot and dry year.

On Monday it called for help in tackling the fire from other EU countries, and assistance is expected from France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Romania.


Authorities are evacuating people from towns, villages and hospitals on the outskirts of Athens as firefighters battle to contain a massive blaze that is moving “like lightning”, ripping through trees, homes and cars.



Propelled by gale-force winds, the wildfire tore towards residential areas of the Greek capital on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction behind it.

Late in the day, despite the “superhuman” efforts of forest commandos and an army of volunteers to bring the fires under control, the inferno had reached the city’s northern suburbs, threatening the premises of the national observatory on a hill in Penteli.

Residents, some wearing masks, could be seen with buckets, hoses and even olive branches desperately trying to douse flames as they encroached on homes. In a statement, the observatory’s meteorological service said the fast-moving blaze was “threatening important facilities, technologies and years of research efforts.”

In what would be the first loss of life since the fires erupted, authorities announced early on Tuesday that the charred remains of a woman had been found in a factory in the northern suburb of Vrillisia. The victim is believed to be an immigrant worker.

Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister said firefighters were struggling in “dramatic conditions” that had been exacerbated by a prolonged drought.

“Its an extremely dangerous fire that we’ve been battling for over 20 hours in dramatic conditions because of the very strong winds and prolonged dryness,” the minister for climate crisis, Vassilis Kikilias, told reporters.

More than 670 firefighters, backed by 17 water bombing planes, 15 helicopters and trucks, were trying to bring the fire under control and forces were being “continually reinforced”, he said.





“Right now the battle is being waged on two fronts: one in the area of Kallitechnoupoli and the other in [the village of] Grammatiko,” Kikilias said. “We will continue with all our might until it is brought under control and the last front is put out.”








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