Evacuations ordered as four major fires rage across Greece

·

Evacuations have been ordered across Greece as local authorities try to get under control four major fires raging across the country on Monday night, AMNA has reported.

Two of the four large fires broke out in Attica at Kouvaras (Southeast Attica) and at Dervenoxoria (North Attica), one in the forest area of Kallithea (southeast of Loutraki, in Corinthia), and a fourth at Kaparelli in Boeotia (Viotia). 

Kouvaras and Dervenoxoria:

At Kouvaras, 210 firefighters with 10 ground teams and 68 fire engines are battling the flames, assisted by 10 water-dowsing airplanes and 6 helicopters. Greek authorities said the fire was moving really fast, spanning 12 kilometres in about 2 hours and aided by high winds.

A wildfire burns olive groves in Lagonisi, Greece. Photo: Yannis Kolesidis/EPA-EFE.

At Dervenochoria, 105 firefighters with 3 ground teams and 30 fire engines are operating on land. Efforts are focused on ensuring the fire did not spread to nearby Mount Parnitha.

Kaparelli and Loutraki:

At Kaparelli in Boeotia, 94 firefighters with 2 ground teams and 30 fire engines are assisted by 4 water-dowsing airplanes and 2 helicopters. According to officials, the fire at Kaparelli was contained within a specific area.

Breaking out almost at the same time as Kaparelli, the fire at forestland in Kallithea (Loutraki area) headed towards Agios Charalambos village at great speed, damaging several homes.

Man tries to extinguish a fire at Loutraki. Photo: AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris.

At least two villages, a children’s summer camp and rehabilitation centre for seniors were evacuated at Loutraki, the fire service and local authorities said.

The evacuations were ordered as gusts of wind up to 70 kilometres per hour (45 miles per hour) pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by extreme heat.

Heatwave gripping Greece:

Greece has been gripped by a heatwave since last week with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius in the centre of the country.

Greater Athens and much of southern Greece were on the second highest level of alert for wildfires Monday and Tuesday following a four-day heatwave that eased over the weekend. More heat wave temperatures are expected later in the week.

Source: AP News and AMNA.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

How the US military base on Crete helped power the stealth bombing of Iran

A major part of the recent United States airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities unfolded quietly from Souda Bay military base on Crete.

Israel agrees to ceasefire after claiming to neutralise Iran threat

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran has officially come into effect, according to former US President Donald Trump.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch visits survivors of deadly church attack in Syria

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, John X, has visited the site of Sunday’s deadly bombing at the Church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus.

Greek women make history at Brisbane Jazz Club

'Girl From Greece,' by singers Mel Lathouras and Katerini Manolatos, is the first Greek-led project to perform at the Brisbane Jazz Club.

Ersin Tatar compares Turkish Cypriots to Palestinians

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has drawn a controversial comparison between Cyprus and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

You May Also Like

Comedian Kat Zam ponders on struggles of being a ‘Good Greek Girl’ in Australia

Greek Australian comedian and content creator, Kat Zam, wrote about her struggle to conform to the pressures of being a “Good Greek Girl.”

The National Archaeological Museum celebrates the Greek War of Independence bicentennial

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens has launched a new exhibition to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.

British man survives horror Air India crash that killed at least 294 people

A British man has survived a catastrophic Air India crash that claimed at least 294 lives after the plane exploded shortly after take-off.