A major wildfire that erupted in low vegetation between Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, southeast of Athens, is now in remission, though efforts continue to prevent reignitions.
The blaze, driven by strong winds and soaring temperatures nearing 40°C, destroyed at least 20 homes, damaged numerous vehicles, and forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people.
Emergency services deployed 170 firefighters, 64 vehicles, 12 aircraft, and 12 helicopters—including Australian helicopters—to battle the flames.
Coastal evacuations were supported by the Greek Coast Guard and firefighting boats, while volunteers and Civil Protection teams contributed on the ground.
Authorities issued five 112 emergency alerts ordering evacuations from Thymari, Tourkolimano, Katafygi, Harakas, and Triantafyllia.
Police rescued at least 40 people, including children and the elderly, and 11 tourists were evacuated from a beach as flames advanced.
Some residents defied orders to stay and attempted to protect their homes with garden hoses.
An arson investigation team was deployed to determine the cause of the fire.
Smoke from the blaze reached 180 km southwest over the sea near Kythera, according to the National Observatory of Athens.
Officials warned that extreme fire danger persists in Attica and other regions due to ongoing high temperatures.
The fire comes amid Greece’s intensified wildfire preparedness, which includes an expanded force of 18,000 firefighters.
