The death toll has risen to 20 people over the past three days as the fires burn out of control for the second time this summer in Greece, according to the latest reports on Wednesday, August 23.
Two children were found among 18 people burned in the raging forest fire near the village of Avantas, 10 km north of Alexandroupoli, on Tuesday.
A suspected migrant was found dead in the area and an elderly shepherd had also been found dead in the north of Athens on Monday.
According to Ekathimerini, the wildfires have been burning in the city of Alexandroupolis in the northeast, in the northwestern fringe of Athens and into Parnitha national park.
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias, said in a statement, firefighters have tackled 355 forest fires over five days from Friday to Tuesday. This includes 209 over the last 48 hours alone.
“Any firefighting forces, no matter how strong they were, would not have been able to bring it under control,” Kikilias said.
The country has seen extreme summer weather conditions with areas placed at Level 5, the highest risk for fire.
Strong winds and dry conditions have contributed to the fires blazing out of control.
Fire department spokesperson, Ioannis Artopios, said, “Conditions remain difficult and in many cases extreme.”
The European Union have significantly boosted firefighting operations to aid Greece in the battle against the wildfires raging around the country.
Source: Ekathimerini
Read more: EU countries aid Greek firefighters in second wave of summer wildfires
