Greek officials have warned people to limit their movements and stay indoors with their “windows closed” as poor air quality across the Attic basin has seen at least eight people rushed to hospital with respiratory problems amid wildfires on the outskirts of Athens.
“Forces are being continually reinforced but they face flames that in many cases exceed 25 metres [in height],” fire brigade spokesperson Vassileios Vathrakogiannis said.
While one fire in western Attica had been controlled, another north-east of Athens was still not contained. At least 10 communities around Varnavas, Attica had been evacuated and firefighters were expected to continue throughout the night.
Facing strong winds, 315 fire fighters with 10 teams of forest commandos, 98 vehicles, 15 fire-fighting airplanes and 11 helicopters as well as a large number of volunteers participated in the operation.
Their efforts were being assisted by digging machinery and water trucks from the Attica Region and the Armed Forces.
An outbreak of wildfires follows Greece’s record-breaking week-long heatwave before mid-June.
With strong winds persisting, at least half of Greece is expected to enter “red alert” conditions.
Source: The Guardian.
