A major forest fire has unleashed devastation across the northern suburbs of Athens, Greece, leaving one person dead and prompting urgent evacuations.
Hundreds of firefighters, alongside dozens of water-dropping planes, struggled against the flames exacerbated by swirling winds.
The Greek fire department reported finding the deceased individual late Monday night within a burnt building located in Vrilissia, one of the affected areas.
This wildfire began near Lake Marathon, around 35 kilometers northeast of Athens, spreading across Mount Pendeli and encroaching on residential areas.
Homes and businesses have been ravaged, leaving the capital's northern suburbs on edge as authorities declared several regions under high alert.
By late Monday, signs of hope emerged as winds began to decrease, allowing for some progress against this massive inferno.
Col. Vassileios Vathrakogiannis from the fire department noted the teams were now facing numerous small localized blazes instead of one large front.
The historic Marathon site, visited by countless tourists and home to ancient monuments, fortunately showed no immediate signs of damage.
Greece had issued high alerts as international assistance was called upon, with additional crews expected to arrive from various countries including France and Italy.
Smoke and ash blanketed central Athens, reducing visibility and causing power outages across several neighborhoods.
Authorities reported at least 18 individuals injured, primarily suffering from smoke inhalation, as the flames reached the outskirts of residential areas.
The latest satellite images from Greece’s National Observatory indicated the wildfire affected about 10,000 hectares of land.
To bolster firefighting efforts, France offered to dispatch helicopters and firefighting teams, and Turkey pledged two firefighting planes.
According to officials, the supported firefighting operations were critical, as the wildfires had been fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions during the summer months.
Many areas caught fire, influenced by heat waves experienced over June and July, which were heralded as the hottest months recorded.
Nikos Lavranos, president of Greece's firefighters' union, urged for the need for additional resources, stating, "Firefighters have been working at full tilt for months; they are exhausted."
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias labelled the fire as “exceptionally dangerous” and pointed out challenging conditions on Mount Pendeli due to difficult terrain.
Evacuations extended to three hospitals, including children's facilities, along with evacuations ordered for two monasteries and a children’s home.
Residents like Spyros Gorilas recounted the terrifying moments as winds shifted unexpectedly, complicate efforts to fight the flames.
They described the atmosphere as stifling, with smoke and heat overwhelming their senses as they sought to protect their homes.
Fires were simultaneously breaking out across Greece, with the risk of wildfires noted to surge due to the unfavorable weather forecast extending to later this week.
Emergency services had activated evacuations using cell alerts, with significant support provided by supportive police forces aiding vulnerable residents.
Panic ensued as some locals, initially reluctant to leave, found themselves trapped and requiring rescue, putting firefighters at greater risk.
The destructive intensity of the wildfires was reminiscent of the tragic disaster at Mati back in 2018, which caused over 100 fatalities.
Additional reports emerged of severe environmental impacts, with hazardous airborne particles detected across central Athens during the peak of the fires.
Repeated callouts by authorities warned of the rising dangers presented by the weather conditions, which had been producing chaotic and unpredictable fire patterns.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries like North Macedonia and Albania have also endured their share of wildfires, exacerbated by similarly high temperatures.
While conditions began to shift with some relief from the winds, the challenging task of restoring safety and restoring devastated areas remains at the forefront of Greece’s recovery efforts.
Firefighters continue to be aided not only by domestic resources but by emergency assistance coming from international partners across Europe.
Jordan's military aircraft were also reported to be on standby to assist Greek efforts, once again showcasing the global collaboration during crises.
Fires continue to rage across the region, and as authorities grapple with the evolving situation, the hope lies with communal resilience and coordinated response efforts.
Despite the chaos, Greece remains steadfast, calling for unity and support as they combat these dangerous blazes head-on.
