Clémentine Athanasiadis (in Greece) / Photo credit: GIORGOS ARAPEKOS / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP
Greece, which is facing a major heat wave, is now experiencing its first fires. Several forest fires, fanned by strong winds, broke out a few kilometers from Athens. Many residents had to evacuate.
Southern Europe continues to suffocate. Crushing heat in Italy, Spain and Greece where the mercury exceeds 40 degrees. As a result, a forest fire, fanned by strong winds, broke out on Monday in Kouvaras, 50km east of Athens. Other fires near the capital have been recorded. This Tuesday morning, firefighters continue to fight the flames.
1,200 children evacuated
Since Monday, strong winds have fanned the fires and made the situation very difficult. The battle against the flames resumed in the sky at the first light of the sun with the reinforcement of planes and helicopters. The fires continue to spread dangerously in the region of La Boétie and near the seaside resorts in the west and in the east of Athens.
Near the seaside resort of Loutraki, about 80km from the capital, 1,200 children, in summer camp, had to evacuate.
High fire risk in several regions
Properties, cars and land are destroyed by the flames. In eastern Athens, where residents have seen their homes burned, the first criticisms are being heard. According to some local elected officials, sending ground and air reinforcements took a very long time and the means are lacking while the day will still be very difficult. Firefighters fear gusts and high temperatures. The risk of fires also remains very high in several regions, such as in Attica, the Peloponnese or Crete.