12/8/2024–|Last update: 12/8/202402:17 PM (Makkah Time)
Greek authorities have evacuated residents of several towns northeast of the capital Athens after a massive forest fire broke out, local media reported Monday morning.
The Greek state broadcaster said the fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the northeastern town of Varnavas, quickly spread due to strong winds and spread over an area of more than 30 kilometres.
#UPDATE Greece ordered the evacuation Monday of multiple communities northeast of Athens as wildfires raged, the fire brigade said.
“Forest fire near you. Follow the instructions of the authorities,” said SMS messages sent to people in the Attica region, indicating in which… pic.twitter.com/dJYV3qtR6c
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 12, 2024
The fire, which is currently raging in three main areas, has led to the evacuation of residents of several villages and towns in the Nea Pantelei and Palaia Penteli regions, and evacuation orders have been issued for dozens of other towns.
Local media reported that the continued fire in the town of Varnavas forced residents of about 10 villages to evacuate in the early hours of Monday morning after several homes were damaged.
The media reported that strong winds are hampering efforts to control the fire, according to the same source.