A volunteer firefighter was killed in a fire that threatened the most important national park of the Greek capital. In the country’s worst heat wave in 30 years, at least 20 people were injured in the fire. The temperature reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
Thousands of residents and vacationers fled the fire from land and sea, and Turkey Fierce fires that have not been seen in decades have swept across large areas of the country’s southern coast, killing 8 people in the past 10 days.
On Saturday, uncontrollable wildfires destroyed houses, farms and businesses in Greece, while a small ferry evacuated 1,153 people from a seaside village and beach on the island of Evia.
After the fire engulfed the pine forest and moved to the coast, the residents tried to open new channels for the flames with the help of tractors and other equipment.
According to reports, there were more than 150 fires and people were urged to evacuate in the northern suburbs of Athens.
A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter in Athens died of a head injury after falling a telephone pole on the outskirts of Ippokrateios Politeia.
At least 20 people across the country need treatment, including two firefighters in intensive care.
After passing through the forests and houses near the capital’s main reservoir, the flame approached Parnitha National Park, one of the only large forests remaining in the Athens area.
On Saturday, another fire spread to Mani, Greece, on the Peloponnese. Eleni Drakoulakou, the deputy mayor of East Mani, pleaded with the water drop planes that are difficult to fly at night to provide more information. Support it and tell the national broadcaster ERT that 70% of her area has been destroyed.
“This is a biblical disaster. We are talking about three quarters of the city,” Drakoulakou said.
The wind that often changes direction on Friday moved hell and became uncontrollable GreeceCurrently, firefighters and special aircraft from France, Ukraine, Cyprus, Croatia, Sweden and Israel are supporting the rescue work. It is expected that Switzerland and Romania will provide more help on Saturday.
Civil Defense Director Nicos Hadalias said at a briefing on Friday night that firefighters are facing “extraordinarily dangerous and unprecedented conditions” as they fight 154 wildfires this week, of which 64 are still burning Into the night.
He said: “In the past few days, we have faced an unprecedented situation in our country, the intensity and distribution of wildfires, and new epidemics everywhere.” “I want to assure you that all available forces are participating in the battle.”
Although wildfires often occur in Greece and other Mediterranean countries in the midsummer, Greek and European Union officials expressed concern that the climate crisis has exacerbated the problem.
In this hot season, southern Italy, Spain and Albania, and North Macedonia are also plagued by forest fires, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the fires in Turkey as the worst in the country’s history. Fire.
The cause of the devastating fire in Greece is still under investigation. Hadalias said three people were arrested on suspicion of causing fires in the Greater Athens area and central and southern Greece on Friday, two of which were deliberate.
