Forest fires reach Athens suburbs, driving thousands to flee
In Penteli and Vrilissia, unimaginable scenes unfolded: Residents, donning protective masks, desperately sprayed their homes with water to shield them from the approaching flames and the biting smoke. News portal newsit.gr quoted Penteli's mayor, Natassa Kosmopoulou, stating that a school and several houses were ablaze, with the fire advancing towards the town hall. The situation was "dramatic".
At least one firefighter sustained severe burn injuries, according to his brigade, while another was hospitalized due to breathing difficulties, and 13 more were treated for respiratory issues.
Residents in parts of the Athens district of Chalandri were also ordered to evacuate as a precaution, with the mayor, Simos Roussos, telling ERT that the flames were "very close". Earlier, a children's hospital and a military clinic had been evacuated in Penteli, with eight people hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. The Athens Olympic Stadium, located north of Athens near Chalandri, was opened as an emergency shelter. Three major hospitals were put on high alert.
On Monday, the flames continued to spread on Mount Penteli, which stands at 1,109 meters and is located on the northeastern outskirts of Athens. Around 700 firefighters with 190 vehicles, 30 aircraft, and helicopters were battling the blaze.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his summer vacation and returned to the capital. Greece also requested EU assistance in combating the wildfires. According to the EU Commission, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated at Greece's request.
Italy, France, the Czech Republic, and Romania sent firefighting units to support Greece. France dispatched 180 firefighters, 55 trucks, and a helicopter, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. Spain and Turkey were also in the process of finalizing their assistance, according to Greece's Civil Protection Ministry.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X, "We stand by Greece in its fight against the devastating fires."
The wildfires began Sunday afternoon in the town of Varnavas, 35 kilometers northeast of Athens. ERT reported that by Monday, a 30-kilometer-wide and up to 25-meter-high wall of fire was moving towards Athens.
Firefighters fought the flames throughout the night, but despite their efforts, the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds. On Monday, the fire spread to a total of 40 more areas.
On Sunday, authorities ordered the evacuation of the historic city of Marathon, located northeast of Athens, and seven other towns. Marathon's mayor, Stergios Tsirkas, told Skai TV that his city was experiencing a "catastrophic biblical event", adding, "The whole city is on fire."
Greece has been experiencing record-breaking heat since the warmest winter on record, with June and July being the hottest months since records began in 1960. This has led to an extremely high risk of wildfires, with several fires breaking out daily.
The fires sparked memories in Greece of the 2018 catastrophe in the coastal town of Mati near Marathon, where 104 people perished, many while fleeing the flames in their vehicles.
Residents in the affected areas were advised to follow the evacuation orders, as the fire continued to pose a significant threat to nearby towns. The Greek government, along with international aid, was heavily involved in controlling the wildfires and providing necessary assistance.
