Greece on high alert as 'hellish' wildfires skirt capital Athens
Greek authorities have warned tourists they face extreme weather conditions after thousands of residents were evacuated owing to wildfires near Greece’s capital Athens at the weekend.
According to The Independent, residents had to leave their homes on Sunday (11 August) as the wildfire spread near the city, burning trees, houses and cars.
More than 400 firefighters, as well as 16 water bombing planes and 13 helicopters, were deployed to fight the fire, which broke out near the village of Varnavas, around 20 miles north of Athens.
Other villages, including the historic town of Marathon, had to be evacuated, according to other reports in the national British media.
“Hell in eastern Attica and the last lung of oxygen was destroyed,” said regional councillor Ioanna Karadima. “I am angry, I have no words.”
On Monday (12 August), officials released a fire risk map highlighting potential danger in popular destinations such as Paros, Naxos, Crete and Mykonos.
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Ilaria Grasso Macola
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