Home News Sport More

Menu

World Africa Asia Australia Europe Latin America Middle East US & Canada

Greece wildfires spread, causing mass

evacuations
1 hour ago

Climate change

AFP

One of the worst blazes has struck the island of Evia, close to Athens

Thousands of tourists and residents have been evacuated from towns north
of the Greek capital, Athens, as wildfires spread across the country.

Strong winds and high temperatures are making it difficult to control the
blazes, which have killed at least two people, including a firefighter.

Huge clouds of smoke and ash near Athens has meant some people there have
also been urged to leave their homes.

More than 150 fires have been reported. Six areas have been put on high alert.

Greece like many parts of Europe has been grappling with extreme weather
Greece, like many parts of Europe, has been grappling with extreme weather
this summer. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the fires showed "the
reality of climate change".

Hundreds of firefighters are trying to control the fires with about 20 water-
bombing aircraft. Extra firefighters and planes are being sent in from countries

including the UK, France and the US.

The UK government said Home Secretary Priti Patel was sending "experienced
firefighters" after witnessing the "devastating effect" of the fires while in
Greece earlier this week.

EPA

A resident of a town on the northern outskirts of Athens inspects the damage caused by a wildfire

Fanned by unpredictable winds, the worst blazes are around the north of
Athens. A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed by a falling electricity
pole in a suburb of the city.

The other victim was the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce,
Konstantinos Michalos. He was found unconscious in a factory close to where
a fire was raging.

A further 20 people have been injured.

The fires are expected to continue to burn and spread on Saturday, despite a
drop in temperatures to around 35C (95F) from above 40C earlier this week.
 The coastguard moved 650 people from Limni, in the north of the island of Evia

Thousands of people were earlier ordered to leave their homes outside Athens
as the blaze tore through houses, cars and businesses.

Fires have also been raging on the nearby island of Evia, and areas close to
ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

Government minister Nikos Hardalias said firefighters were facing extremely

dangerous conditions.

"Wildfires of unprecedented intensity and spread, all our forces are fighting
the battle day and night to save lives, together with volunteers," he said.
 AFP

Hundreds of residents of Evia island were evacuated on ferries

REUTERS

Some locals also had to evacuate with their animals

Hundreds of residents and tourists on Evia have been evacuated using ferries
and fishing boats, as wildfires closed in on its shores.

"We're talking about the apocalypse, I don't know how to describe it," Sotiris
Danikas, a coastguard official on the island, told broadcaster ERT.

Smell of smoke, ash on the ground

By Bethany Bell BBC News, Athens

The air in northern Athens is full of the smell of smoke, and there is a thin
layer of ash on the ground. People from some of the outer suburbs have been
evacuated from their homes.

Last night, one man stared in horror as the flames headed down the
mountainside towards his house.

Planes and helicopters carrying water to drop on the flames flew overhead,
but emergency crews are struggling to stop the wildfires from spreading.

The strong, hot winds are not helping. Greece, like much of the rest of Europe,
has been grappling with extreme weather this summer.

In neighbouring Turkey, authorities are battling the country's worst-ever

wildfires.

Eight people have been killed and tens of thousands evacuated along the
southern coast. Six more neighbourhoods near a power station were
evacuated on Friday.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel
wildfires.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began
and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make
steep cuts to emissions.

EXPLAINER: The burning issue of wildfires

Related Topics

Greece Turkey Wildfires Climate change

More on this story

Eight dead as wildfires engulf Turkey resorts

5 days ago

Tourists evacuated as fires rage in Turkey resorts

6 days ago

Then and now: The burning issue of wildfires

5 days ago

Turkey fires: 'Our honey is gone'

1 day ago

Top Stories
Gold rush at Tokyo Olympics' busiest day
Watch, listen and follow text from day 15 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

17 hours ago

Olympic athletes struggle with intense heat

14 hours ago

Mass evacuations as wildfires spread across Greece

1 hour ago

Features

UN report to show stark reality of climate 'I make clothes, I don't just make bags'
change

Belarus crackdown fails to crush How many people are related to

opposition spirit Mayflower pilgrims?
Ryan Reynolds: 'My default is just pure Playing with FIRE: The millennial
trash' movement to quit work

Olympic athletes struggle with intense 'We want trillions to heal our wounds'
heat

'They call me the Irish hulk of basketball'

Elsewhere on the BBC

Lyrics quiz Feeling hot

Have you been getting these songs wrong? What happens to your body in extreme heat?

Most Read

Mass evacuations as wildfires spread across Greece 1

German coach thrown out for horse punch 2

Bat killed by cat after record 1,200-mile journey 3

Taliban seize second regional capital in two days 4

No more Mao badges, China says, after IOC warning 5

'We want trillions to heal our wounds' 6

Messi in PSG talks after Barcelona exit 7

Ten passengers injured in Tokyo train knife attack 8

Ryan Reynolds: 'My default is just pure trash' 9

Apple criticised for system that detects child abuse 10

BBC News Services

On your mobile

On smart speakers

Get news alerts

Contact BBC News

Home Sport Worklife Future Music Weather

News Reel Travel Culture TV Sounds

Terms of Use About the BBC Privacy Policy Cookies Accessibility Help Parental Guidance

Contact the BBC Get Personalised Newsletters Why you can trust the BBC Advertise with us

AdChoices / Do Not Sell My Info

© 2021 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external
linking.