One Dead as Wildfires Sweep Through Athens Suburbs

Photo : AFP

On Monday, wildfires ravaging the suburbs of Athens, Greece, claimed the life of one person. The deceased, believed to be a woman, was found inside a shop in Vrilissia, a town in northern Athens. The blazes, which began on Sunday afternoon, have prompted extensive evacuations as firefighters battled to control the flames threatening homes, businesses, and schools.

Col Vassilios Vathrakogiannis of the fire service reported that while there is no longer a single dominant fire front in the north-eastern Attica region, which includes parts of Athens, numerous localized blazes persist, particularly around Marathon and Penteli. He warned that the risk of new fires remains high and could continue through the week.

Efforts to extinguish the fires have mobilized more than 700 firefighters, 199 fire engines, and 35 waterbombing aircraft. By Monday evening, satellite images revealed that the fires had affected approximately 100,000 acres (405 sq km; 156 sq miles) of land. Two firefighters have been treated for burns sustained while fighting the blazes.

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The fires, which erupted in 40 different locations, produced flames reaching up to 25 meters (82 feet) high. The smoke from the fires has blanketed Athens, prompting residents to wear facemasks. As night fell, aircraft operations ceased, but ground crews continued their work.

In Penteli, a forested and hilly area, three hospitals were evacuated, and a timber factory was engulfed by the flames. Explosions, likely from fuel tanks and residential gas cylinders, were heard in the area. Some local residents attempted to combat the fires themselves, using hoses and tree branches.

The European Union has responded by activating its mutual civil protection mechanism, with Italy, France, Serbia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Romania offering assistance. Turkey has also pledged to send two planes and a helicopter. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Greece, highlighting the EU’s commitment to supporting the country during this crisis.

Greece is experiencing its hottest June and July on record, exacerbating the risk of wildfires. Climate change, which has caused global temperatures to rise by about 1.1°C since the industrial era, is contributing to the extreme weather conditions fueling these fires.

Aug. 13, 2024 11:54 a.m. 502

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