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| Greek firefighters battle wildfires on Athens outskirts and beyond | Greek firefighters battle wildfires on Athens outskirts and beyond |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Greek firefighters are battling large brush and forest fires on the outskirts of Athens and in the Peloponnese region, where flames have forced the evacuation of at least three villages and two summer camps. | Greek firefighters are battling large brush and forest fires on the outskirts of Athens and in the Peloponnese region, where flames have forced the evacuation of at least three villages and two summer camps. |
| Strong winds fanned the forest fire in the Lakonia area, on the tip of the Peloponnese, on Friday. Attempts by a coastguard vessel and other boats to rescue scores of people trapped on a beach were hampered by rough seas. | |
| Local media reported that two summer camps and a healthcare centre in the seaside town of Neapoli had been evacuated. | Local media reported that two summer camps and a healthcare centre in the seaside town of Neapoli had been evacuated. |
| One of the seven firefighting planes battling the Lakonia fire had to make an emergency landing. Its two pilots were transferred to a local hospital, but were not seriously hurt. Two helicopters, 120 firefighters and nearly 30 soldiers have been tackling the blaze. | One of the seven firefighting planes battling the Lakonia fire had to make an emergency landing. Its two pilots were transferred to a local hospital, but were not seriously hurt. Two helicopters, 120 firefighters and nearly 30 soldiers have been tackling the blaze. |
| In Athens, a large brush fire burned across Ymittos hill on the outskirts, where strong winds further fanned the flames. More than 70 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with local volunteers. | In Athens, a large brush fire burned across Ymittos hill on the outskirts, where strong winds further fanned the flames. More than 70 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with local volunteers. |
| Firefighters were also tackling a smaller fire in Koropi, near Athens, and another on the island of Evia, east of the capital. | Firefighters were also tackling a smaller fire in Koropi, near Athens, and another on the island of Evia, east of the capital. |
| The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, said help from the army and the air force, and the European emergency response centre had been requested. Two water-dropping planes had taken off from Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest city, to assist with the Athens blaze. | The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, said help from the army and the air force, and the European emergency response centre had been requested. Two water-dropping planes had taken off from Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest city, to assist with the Athens blaze. |
| “All forces are on alert,” Tsipras said, noting that the hot, dry and windy conditions made firefighting more difficult. | “All forces are on alert,” Tsipras said, noting that the hot, dry and windy conditions made firefighting more difficult. |
| Forest and brush fires are common during Greece’s hot, dry summers. In 2007, massive forest fires ravaged southern Greece, devastating dozens of villages and killing about 60 people. | Forest and brush fires are common during Greece’s hot, dry summers. In 2007, massive forest fires ravaged southern Greece, devastating dozens of villages and killing about 60 people. |