Athens fire: Greek capital smothered in smoke as mountainside blaze threatens homes
The fire was spreading on the foothills of Mount Hymettus this morning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A huge wildfire has broken out near Athens, spreading over mountainsides overlooking the Greek capital and blanketing it in thick smoke.
The blaze was moving fast this morning, fanned by strong winds and devouring parts of hillsides popular with walkers and tourists.
At least 45 firefighters with 18 engines, a water-dropping plane and two helicopters were battling the blaze, along with volunteers, the fire department said in a statement.
Residents wrote on Twitter that people were trying to fight the blaze with their own hoses and buckets of water as it threatened homes, with people already fleeing Ilioupolis, at the foot of Mount Hymettus.
The Greek energy minister, Panagiotis Lafazanis, received an angry reception on his arrival in the suburb of Karea, where residents reportedly heckled the politician, telling him to go and put the fire out instead of talking to the television cameras.
Alexis Tsipras said Greece has requested help from the army and air force, as well as the European emergency response centre.
Two water-dropping planes had left the country's second largest city of Thessaloniki to assist with the Athens fire, the Prime Minister added.
“All forces are on alert,” Mr Tsipras said, noting that the hot, dry and windy conditions made firefighting more difficult.
Temperatures were forecast to hit 33C in Athens today, with winds coming from the north-west. The heat is expected to rise over the coming days, with no rain expected for the next week, according to the Met Office.
Smaller blazes had started in Koropi, near Athens, and on the island of Evia.
A major forest fire in southern Greece forced coast guard boats to rescue around 100 people trapped on a beach as residents were evacuated from three villages.
Planes and helicopters dropped water on the blaze in Lakonia as firefighters and soldiers battled it on the ground.
Wildfires are common in Greece during the country's hot, dry summers. More than 60 people died in 2007 when a series of forest fires swept through southern areas, devastating dozens of villages.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments