Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 06:49 pm
Greek authorities ordered an evacuation of Marathon, a historic town known as the birthplace of the Marathon race, due to a raging, uncontrollable wildfire. It has been ordered for residents to head for Nea Makri settlement, reported Xinhua News Agency, quoting the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry. This order came after the earlier evacuations of six other settlements in the region.
Shelter Provided at Athens Olympic Athletic Center
The Athens Olympic Athletic Center, the major venue of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, has been opened to accommodate the shelter of refugees. The shelter was installed there to accommodate the fire victims, according to the Greek national broadcaster ERT. Eight people have been admitted to hospital due to respiratory problems, health ministry officials said.
Fire-fighters’ Efforts to Contain the Blaze
Firefighters are working hard to control the wildfire, which has swept some kilometers across northeastern Attica. The fire began in Varnavas, located some 35 km from Athens, at about 3 pm local time. Hot and windy conditions have spread the fire wildly, producing a thick smoke that covers tens of kilometers of Athens. Greek meteorologists report that due to very strong winds, the smoke of this fire is felt even 100 kilometers away from Varnavas.
Means Deployed to Under Control the Fire
Some 400 firefighters, supported by 29 water-dropping aircraft, 110 fire engines, military units, and hundreds of volunteers, have been deployed to combat the wildfire, the Fire Brigade said in a statement. Earlier on Tuesday, another large-scale wildfire close to Megara in western Attica had already been brought under control. In both incidents, the main sufferers were woods. The fire damaged some residential properties.
Wildfires Spread Throughout Greece
In the last day, firefighting forces have fought 40 wildfires around the country. Authorities have called on the public to remain cautious as high temperatures in some areas raise the danger of further fires. Greece has regularly been afflicted by forest fires every summer, in which in many cases heatwaves and arson have been contributing factors. This summer so far, two people have died in wildfires, against 20 last year.
