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Greece battles wildfires, evacuating residents near Athens Wildfires continue to rage in Greece as extreme heat persists
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: Greece wildfires burn homes and fill skies with smoke Greece firefighters battle to contain major wildfires across the country
Greece is battling five major wildfires across the country, with officials evacuating residents in a hard-hit region just 30km (18.6 miles) north of capital city Athens. Greece is continuing to battle five major wildfires across the country amid a severe heatwave, with extreme temperatures expected to persist.
The smell of burning wood carried as far as central Athens, as Greece requested European Union assistance to fight the spreading blaze. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, as firefighters focus their efforts on two major fires, one on the island of Kythira and the other in Evia.
The ongoing emergency comes amid a severe heatwave. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 44C (111.2F) on Sunday, with the extreme heat expected to persist through most of the weekend. Fire brigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakoyannis said the situation had improved after an "all night battle" by firefighters, but warned that Sunday remained "extremely dangerous" for the outbreak of new wildfires.
"We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed," Greece's Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said. Meanwhile, neighbouring Turkey has recorded its highest ever temperature, with fires raging in several regions.
High winds and scorching temperatures have fanned the flames. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six additional firefighting aircraft. Smoke and flame rise as firefighting teams respond to a fire that broke out in Krioneri near Athens
Greece's climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said: "We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed."
High winds and scorching temperatures continued to fan the flames on Sunday. Greece has formally requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six additional firefighting aircraft.
In Kythira, a blaze that broke out on Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades spread rapidly, with residents describing scenes of "total destruction".
A new evacuation alert was issued for several areas on Sunday, telling residents in Venetianika and Pitsinades to move towards Livadi.
By dawn, firefighters were still tackling flare-ups, supported by helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft.
On the island of Evia, officials said a second blaze near Pissona had got "out of control" on Saturday. Six firefighters were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, while several villages were left without power.
Local authorities said there were signs of improvement on Sunday, but a significant risk of flare-ups remained due to strong winds.
In Messinia, a third wildfire broke out in the Polithea area of Trifylia on Saturday morning and intensified later in the day. Officials reported significant damage to homes and agricultural land.
On Sunday, Vathrakoyannis said 67 firefighters were attending the Kythira fire and 100 were in Messinia, where an active front remained.
In Attica, the region where Athens is, a fire that started in Afidnes on Saturday spread rapidly through Drosopigi, Kryoneri and Agios Stefanos, forcing residents to flee.In Attica, the region where Athens is, a fire that started in Afidnes on Saturday spread rapidly through Drosopigi, Kryoneri and Agios Stefanos, forcing residents to flee.
While the fire service says the main front has been contained, scattered hotspots continue to burn. More than 200 firefighters, supported by helicopters and water-bombing aircraft, are still operating in the area. While the fire service says the main front has been contained, scattered hotspots continue to burn.
On the island of Evia, officials said a second blaze near Pissona had got "out of control", moving quickly towards Afrati. The smell of burning wood carried as far as central Athens, as Greece requested European Union assistance to fight the spreading blaze.
Several villages, including Pournos and Mistros, have been left without electricity after flames destroyed pylons and power lines.
Six firefighters have so far been taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation as 115 personnel continue to battle the flames.
"The destruction is incalculable," said Dirfyon-Messapion mayor Giorgos Psathas.
Volunteers battle to put out a fire burning houses in the residential area of Kryoneri, in the suburbs of Athens, Greece Meanwhile, in Crete's Chania region, firefighters are battling a 20km wildfire front that has swept through forest land, beehives, crops and livestock.
In Kythira, a third wildfire is engulfing a large part of the island, with residents describing scenes of "total destruction". Several settlements have been evacuated, and the coastguard, assisted by private boats, rescued 139 people from Limnionas beach, transporting them safely to Kapsali port. Strong southwesterly winds are complicating efforts to contain flare-ups, while several villages remain without electricity.
In Messinia, a fourth wildfire broke out in the Polithea area of Trifylia on Saturday morning and intensified later in the day.
Five emergency alerts have been sent via Greece's 112 system urging people to leave multiple villages. Strong winds are making firefighting efforts difficult, with 84 firefighters, 30 vehicles and seven aircraft tackling the blaze.
Meanwhile, in Crete's Chania region, a fifth wildfire is raging in Temenia. The fire started in two separate spots and quickly spread, destroying at least two homes.
Officials said several regions remained under further fire threats, including the Ionian Islands, Western Greece, the Peloponnese, Central Greece, Attica, Epirus, Western Macedonia (Florina, Kastoria, Kozani), Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros), Thessaly (Magnesia, Larisa, Trikala), the South Aegean (Rhodes) and Crete.
Last month, fires on Greece's fifth-biggest island Chios, in the northern Aegean, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) of land.Last month, fires on Greece's fifth-biggest island Chios, in the northern Aegean, destroyed 4,700 hectares (11,600 acres) of land.
Earlier in July, a wildfire on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.Earlier in July, a wildfire on the island of Crete forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists.
On Saturday, Turkey's environment ministry said meteorologists had recorded a reading of 50.5C in the south-eastern city of Silopi, surpassing the previous heat record of 49.5C.
Firefighters have faced a four-day battle to contain a fire in the northern Karabuk province, AFP news agency reported on Sunday. On Wednesday, ten people died fighting a fire in Eskisehir, a province in the north-west, it added.
Some local authorities have announced restrictions on water consumption, including for the resort of Cesme on Turkey's west coast.
Have you been affected by the wildfires in Greece? Please get in touch here.Have you been affected by the wildfires in Greece? Please get in touch here.