Tue 18 July 2023:
A large wildfire broke out in the Attica region of Greece with the blaze closely approaching residential areas. According to the fire department, strong winds are worsening the situation and complicating the work of the firefighters.
The fire in the Dervenochoria area is particularly strong due to the region’s roughness and strong winds, public broadcaster ERT said.
The blaze is also threatening a cell phone tower and a pig farm in the area. Some 140 firefighters and 48 vehicles, as well as six aircraft and a helicopter have been working to put the fire under control, according to the fire department.
A warning was sent via the emergency number 112 to evacuate several settlements in southeast Attica.
After a message to evacuate the settlement of Peta, new messages were sent to evacuate the districts of Melissourgos and Trabouria and almost immediately followed by more messages to also evacuate the coastal resorts of Lagonissi, Saronida and Anavyssos. The fire started in dry grass and low vegetation in the Neos Kouvaras area.
People in Melissourgos and Trabouria were advised to head to Anavyssos via Anavyssos Avenue, while those in Lagonisi, Saronida and Anavyssos were also advised to evacuate the settlements as a precaution, said fire brigade spokesperson Yiannis Artopios in an emergency briefing.
The wildfire was burning dry grass and low vegetation, the fire brigade said.
The fire in Viotia is already under control, while firefighters are still responding to the blaze in Loutraki, said the fire department, adding that strong winds hinder efforts to control the fire.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is currently in Brussels for a summit, said the state was doing everything possible to help.
“Today was the first essentially difficult day of this summer,” said Mitsotakis.
“No doubt more will follow. Wildfires have occurred and will continue to occur. This is also one of the effects of the climate crisis that we are experiencing with increasing intensity.”
In a related development, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced that at least two were arrested over their suspected links to the fire in Viotia and investigations into other fires are underway.
He also said at least 81 forest fires broke out across the country on Monday.
According to weather watchers, the intense regional heatwave shows no sign of easing. The Greek meteorological service, meanwhile, has warned that the risk of further fires remains high.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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