Multiple wildfires swept across Greece on Friday, breaking out amid powerful seasonal winds that fueled blazes in several regions, reported Xinhua.
The fires prompted mass evacuations, inflicted heavy property damage, and left at least one person dead in Attica, according to local authorities.
The most severe blaze was reported in Keratea, about 35 kilometers southeast of central Athens.
The wildfire erupted around 2 p.m. local time and quickly spread through dry grasslands, farmland, and residential areas, driven by strong winds and parched vegetation, Greece's national broadcaster ERT reported.
The advancing fire line stretched over seven kilometers, destroying homes and cutting off roads.
Fire service spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis confirmed that the body of an elderly man was found inside his residence in Keratea, marking the first fatality of the day's fires.
Firefighting operations were severely hampered by strong winds as well as dense smoke and difficult terrain.
A local official said that the situation was "out of control," citing burning homes, low visibility, and an oxygen-deprived environment as major challenges for both professional crews and volunteers.
More than 200 firefighters and volunteers were deployed in Keratea, supported by 44 fire engines and 18 water-dropping aircraft operating before dusk.
Authorities issued multiple emergency alerts and ordered the evacuation of nearby settlements, including parts of the coastal resort area of Palea Fokea.
Fires were also reported in other parts of Greece. In Peloponnese, a wildfire broke out in a forested area near Ancient Olympia. The blaze forced evacuations in nearby settlements.
On the Ionian island of Kefalonia, a major wildfire erupted, prompting a large-scale response.
A total of 105 firefighters and 34 vehicles were deployed, with 13 aircraft assisting aerial operations. Authorities reported that the fire was brought under control by early evening, averting major structural damage.
Gusty winds hindered firefighting efforts across all regions, creating fast-moving and unpredictable fire fronts. Aerial imagery shared by the National Observatory of Athens meteorologist Kostas Lagouvardos showed smoke plumes stretching from Greece into northwestern Türkiye.
- Greece
- Wildfire
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
