Greece gains ground against blaze near Athens
Summary
Firefighters in Greece made progress against a large wildfire near Athens on its fifth day, helped by calmer winds that allowed water-dropping planes to fly. The fire has killed five firefighters and damaged many homes, while the risk of new fires remains high due to dry, hot conditions.Key Facts
- The wildfire has been burning since Friday near Psatha, about 60 km northwest of Athens.
- Over 30 aircraft and 575 firefighters are fighting the fire.
- Five firefighters have died: two from a helicopter crash and three in other regions.
- The fire destroyed or damaged many homes, especially in Porto Germeno and other villages by the Gulf of Corinth.
- Hills covered in pine forest have burned to ash, and some charred fire equipment was found in the wreckage.
- The Greek civil protection ministry has placed Athens, Evia, and some Aegean islands under near-maximum fire risk.
- Police have arrested more than 30 people, including a local mayor, for fires started by negligence or deliberately.
- Authorities link the increasing number and strength of wildfires in Greece to climate change, with hotter and drier weather expected until late August.
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