Wildfire breaks out near Greek capital, settlements evacuated
Wildfire
Athens, June 20, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) A wildfire broke out at the outskirts of Koropi, a suburban town in east Attica region, near Athens, forcing the evacuation of at least two settlements, Greek authorities said Wednesday.
The wildfire started near a boat parking yard, Greek national news agency AMNA reported, and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that the blaze had reached the yards of a few homes.
No injuries were reported.
Dozens of firefighters assisted by 10 water-dropping planes and helicopters were battling the flames against strong winds blowing in the area, a Greek Fire Brigade spokesperson told a news conference.
Greece suffered from many wildfires every summer due to high temperatures, heatwaves linked to climate change and arsonists.
Twenty people lost their lives in 2023 as a result of the wildfires.
Due to unusually high temperatures in spring and June, authorities have said that the risk will be high this summer. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
COO/EAL
=====
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ekemini Ladejobi