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

Sydney remembers Cyprus’ fight for freedom ahead of National Day anniversary

Cypriot and Greek Australians gathered in solemn remembrance on Sunday, 30 March, for a memorial service marking Cyprus National Day.

Greek Orthodox Community of SA celebrates 204th year of Greek Independence

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia commemorated Greek Independence Day with joyous festivities on Sunday, 30 March.

From alleyway to legacy: Coburg’s Kastoria Lane project gains momentum

Merri-bek City Council has greenlit public consultation for the naming of Kastoria Lane, a project set to transform a neglected alleyway.

Burwood Council celebrates Greek National Day with local community

On Wednesday, March 26, Burwood Council hosted its annual Greek National Day celebrations, marking the 1821 start of Greece's Revolution.

Canberra remembers Greece’s fight for freedom with wreath laying and cultural display

On Sunday, Canberra’s Greek community came together to celebrate one of the biggest celebrations in Greek history, Independence Day.

You May Also Like

Cretan folk band ‘Xylourides’ to host night of music, culture and tradition in Sydney

Xylourides are set to take Sydney by storm this February with their debut performance at the Factory Theatre.

From Karpathos to Canberra: The story of a Greek Australian cobbler

Miltiadis Vassiliotis learned the basics of shoe repairs from his father at a very young age and since then has used his skills to transform and adapt ‘Civic Shoes’ into a business with an elongated future.

Finalists announced for ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards 2025

Finalists have been announced for ‘The Greek Herald Woman of the Year’ Awards 2025. Find the full list here.