Firefighters beat back large blazes outside Athens

·

Firefighters have bombarded fires which broke out in the areas of Vilia and Keratea near Athens on Monday. 

Minister for Public Order Michaelis Chrysochoidis says the situation at Vilia was improving despite a number of flareups and that the Keratea blaze had been contained. 

370 firefighters, 115 vehicles, 20 water-bombers, and 12 helicopters were deployed to attend the Vilia blaze on Tuesday.

Police have also arrested two people on suspicion of arson, including a 54-year-old man near a village west of Athens and a 29-year-old foreign woman in Athens. 

Climate scientists, meanwhile, say there’s little doubt that climate change from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving more extreme events as Greece’s current and most severe heatwave in decades. 

The wildfire in Keratea spurred the blaze in the dense forest in Vilia on Monday, forcing the evacuation of a nursing home and several villages northwest of Athens.

These two fires were the most severe among dozens of wildfires to erupt that day, the fire department says, burning a combined 5,000 hectares of forest and farmland. 

Firefighters have continued to battle major blazes in a national park north of Athens, in Evia, and the Peloponnese. 

Source: AP 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek fire in ‘The Belly of the Beast’ at St Kilda

‘The Vineyard’ in St Kilda (also known as ‘The Belly of the Beast’) has a long and rich ethnic-Australian heritage.

Jenny Souris Foundation Gala raises $100,000 to help young cancer fighter Jack

The Jenny Souris Foundation’s fundraising gala raised funds for four-year-old Jack, who is courageously battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

Greek Australian George Moulos attempts record-breaking ‘March Across Greece’

Young Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos will embark on a transformative 1,200 km journey across Greece on foot.

proika exhibition explores cultural bonds that unite the Greek Australian community

On November 20, the proika project invites you to the launch their multimedia exhibition, melding fashion, photography and conversations.

Heliades Greek Women’s Network celebrate Melbourne Cup in style

The Greek Women's Network (Heliades) hosted a vibrant celebration of the Melbourne Cup on Sunday, November 3.

You May Also Like

Arthur Evans: The British archaeologist who discovered the Palace of Knossos

One of the greatest discoveries made in the modern world was pioneered by none other than British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, who paved the way...

Key questions answered ahead of the Cyprus Community of NSW’s vital property vote

Members of the Cyprus Community of NSW are set to vote on the future of the Cyprus Club at Stanmore in Sydney during an EGM on Sunday.

Michael Malakonas resigns as CEO of Fronditha Care

Mr Michael Malakonas has resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Fronditha Care with immediate effect. The Board thanked Mr Malakonas for his service to the...