Large forest fire west of Athens — evacuations and boat rescues
The Civil Protection Service ordered evacuations toward Peristeri after thick smoke covered the suburbs; new fires rage in the Peloponnese and on Crete.
A large forest fire broke out west of Athens in the afternoon and produced thick clouds of smoke over the suburb Dasos, which were also visible above the city center.
The Civil Protection Service called on residents, as a precaution, to leave the area in the direction of the suburb Peristeri. The ordered evacuation was explained as a measure to protect the population from inhaling smoke, which is particularly dangerous for children and older people.
Fires across multiple regions
Greek emergency services remain engaged with other large fires in the country. The situation is particularly critical around 60 kilometers northwest of Athens, where the blaze is spreading along a front that extends for several kilometers. Local reports indicate that in the areas of Agios Vasilios and Porto Germeno hundreds of people had to be rescued by boats after being surrounded by the fire.
Firefighters and aerial firefighting helicopters have been deployed to try to prevent the fire from spreading to densely populated areas.
Another large fire is raging on the Peloponnese peninsula, near Porto Heli, where numerous villages have been evacuated as a precaution.
Strong winds are hampering the work of aerial firefighting forces, preventing firefighting planes and helicopters from operating at full capacity. On the island of Crete the fire service has continued operations and the situation there has improved significantly, but the danger has not been completely eliminated while strengthened winds can reawaken the blaze at any moment.
Photo: Printscreen
