Woman dies in flames near Athens
Forest fire near Athens claims its first victim: The body of a woman estimated to be around 60 years old is found in a burned-out factory in a suburb of the Greek capital. As emergency services continue to battle the flames, the Greek government faces pressure over its handling of the fire.
Media reports indicate that a woman has died in the devastating forest fires in the northeastern suburbs of Athens. The body of the approximately 60-year-old was found in the morning in a burned-out factory in Patima Halandriou, according to the state news agency ANA. The municipality of around 70,000 inhabitants was partially evacuated on Monday. It is believed to be the first fatality of the fire that is raging in the northeastern suburbs of Athens.
Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters have been battling the fire for the third day in a row, which broke out on Sunday afternoon in the town of Varnavas, around 35 kilometers northeast of the Greek capital. Fanned by strong winds, the fire has grown into a front of flames around 30 kilometers wide, with flames up to 25 meters high, according to the state broadcaster ERT.
According to the fire service, around 700 firefighters, 200 fire engines, and nine aircraft were deployed on Tuesday. Fire service spokesman Costas Tsigkas announced the first successes in combating the fire in the morning on ERT. However, conditions remain challenging. "From noon, there will be wind," he said, "and with each passing hour, it becomes more difficult." Temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of up to 39 kilometers per hour are forecast for Tuesday in Athens.
Support from several EU countries
Since the start of the fires on Sunday, at least one firefighter has suffered severe burn injuries, and another had to be hospitalized with breathing difficulties, according to the fire service. The Greek Ministry of Health reported that 66 people have been treated for injuries caused by the fire.
Several EU countries, as well as Turkey and Serbia, have sent support to help combat the fires in Greece. Under a 2001 EU mechanism, around 180 firefighters and 55 vehicles have been deployed from several countries. Around 90 firefighters came from southeastern France. Italy, the Czech Republic, and Romania also participated in the operation. Turkey announced on Monday evening that it would send two firefighting aircraft.
On Monday, the flames reached suburbs of the capital Athens, driving thousands of residents from several neighborhoods to flee. Several villages were evacuated. Meanwhile, the conservative Greek government has come under criticism in the press for its handling of the forest fire. "Enough is enough," headlined the centrist daily "Ta Nea". The liberal newspaper "Kathimerini" wrote that the "out-of-control" fire had left "massive destruction (and) open questions". "Evacuate Maximos," demanded the left-wing "Efsyn", referring to the prime minister's official residence.
Prime minister yet to comment on fires
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his vacation and returned to the capital on Sunday. On Monday, he visited the Civil Protection Ministry, but has not yet made a statement about the fires.
According to the National Observatory, which was itself threatened by the flames, the fire has so far destroyed at least 10,000 hectares of land. The fires evoked memories in Greece of the 2018 disaster in the coastal town of Mati near Marathon, where 104 people died, some of them while fleeing the flames in their cars.
The devastating forest fires in the northeastern suburbs of Athens have claimed another life. The second victim was found in the affected area, specifically in a burned-out building in Patima Halandriou.
The EU, along with several other countries, has extended its support to Greece in their battle against the forest fires, sending firefighters and equipment to aid in the efforts.
