A massive wildfire north of Athens has forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes, with flames reaching as high as 25m (80ft). The historic site of Marathon is among the areas being evacuated as firefighters battle to contain the blaze.
The fire, which started on Sunday afternoon in Varnavas, has already burned 100 sq km of land and shows no signs of slowing down. Residents in Varnavas and Grammatiko have been instructed to evacuate, while those in Marathon have been told to head towards the beach town of Nea Makri for safety.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has cut his holiday short to deal with the crisis, as climate crisis and civil protection minister Vassilis Kikilias warns that extremely dangerous weather conditions are expected to continue. Greece has recently experienced its hottest June and July on record, fueling the intensity of the wildfires.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to combat the flames, with a force of 165 firefighters, nine teams on foot, 30 vehicles, seven firefighting aircraft, and five helicopters deployed to the area. However, strong winds are hampering their efforts, and the fight against the fire is expected to last through the night.
Medical centers and hospitals in Athens are on high alert as parts of the capital are covered in a cloud of brown smoke. The situation remains critical as residents and emergency services work together to protect lives and property from the devastating wildfire.
