A new evacuation for the Greek seaside town of Nea Makri has been ordered as firefighters battle against the deadly wildfire.
More than 700 backed by 27 special wildfire teams, and armed forces personnel are in a race against time to extinguish as much of the blaze as possible ahead this afternoon, when winds are expected to pick up again.
Meteorologists predicted gusts will reach up to 60-70 kilometers (37-43 miles) per hour endangering thousands of people the suburbs of Athens.
At least one person has died and thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as firefighters battle wildfires that have spread to the northern suburbs of the capital.
The massive, fast-moving blaze sent flames to heights of over 80ft as Greece sought assistance from other countries, activating Europe’s mutual civil protection mechanism.
The fire began on Sunday afternoon about 35 kilometres (22 miles) northeast of Athens burning several homes and businesses and sending a blanket of smoke and ash over the city centre.
Evacuation orders were issued for suburbs in the Greek capital through Monday. The fire department found a body in a burnt building in the suburb of Vrilissia shortly after midnight.
Key Points
- Tourist Greek seaside town Nea Makri evacuated
- Residents fear strong winds might increase fires
- Woman’s body found inside burned-out Athens factory
- Mapped: Where are the Greek wildfires?
- Is it safe to travel to Athens during Greece wildfires?
Pinned: Summary of the day
15:34
Salma Ouaguira
- Greece’s worst wildfire of the year has left one woman dead after erupting in Lake Marathon on Sunday.
- International aid from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Serbia and Romania arrived to the ground to assist firefighting teams.
- Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from suburbs of Athens with dozens of homes and businesses burned.
- Officials have issued an evacuation alert for a touristic hotspot in the seaside town of Nea Makri.
- More than a dozen people have been treated by paramedics, mostly for smoke inhalation, while five firefighters suffered light burns and breathing problems, the fire department said.
- Greek minister Vassilis Kikilias declared that “forty hours after the extremely dangerous wildfire broke out in Varnava” but “we now say that there is no active front, only scattered hotspots.”
- The country remains on high fire alert after meteorologists fear strong winds reaching up to 60-70 kilometers (37-43 miles) could pick up again.
Foreign help rushed to Greece as wildfire forces evacuations in Athens
07:38
Salma Ouaguira
Firefighters continue to battle against the wildfire in a town near the Greek capital after a fierce fire broke out on Sunday.
A 60-year-old woman was found dead inside a factory in Patima Halandriou.
The harrowing scenes never seen before in Athens have forced thousands to flee the capital’s suburbs.
Greece called the EU for assistance to assist hard-pressed firefighters. EU spokesman Balazs Ujvari said: “The EU civil protection mechanism was activated upon request of the Greek authorities.”
Countries including Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania have confirmed they are sending units to help.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said Paris is deploying 180 firefighters, 55 trucks and a helicopter to assist.
The Greek civil protection ministry also confirmed aid from Spain is also being “finalised” and Turkey announced it was sending two planes and a helicopter to help battle the fire.
Watch: Firefighters continue to extinguish Greece wildfires via helicopters as strong winds worsen them
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Salma Ouaguira
Ground report: Raging fire reignites on mountains overlooking Greek tourist town
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Salma Ouaguira
At Nea Makri. Small fires have reignited on the mountains that overlook the seaside town, Rich Booth reports from Greece.
Helicopters are filing up water from the sea to battle the raging fire endangering the tourist hotspot.
Hotels are just metres away from where for fighters have been evacuated as they try to contain them to one side of a mountain road.
The town is popular among Greek tourists who want to stay near the beach. Hotel balconies are overlooking where flames are starting on the already charred ground.
Pine cones and fallen branches are littering the road nearby with last nights fire taking down pylons.
Residents cries ’you couldn’t do anything’ as he watched home burning
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Salma Ouaguira
Sakis Morris has described the desperate moment he watched the flames burned out of control destroying everything he owned.
Mr Morris, who lives in the Athens suburb of Vrilissia, said the fire left his home in ashes.
He told Sky News: “A huge flame appeared from behind and everything melted in a minute,” he says, looking at the charred remains of his porch.
“A big flame appeared suddenly and we had to leave. The speed of the wind was very high, you couldn’t do anything.”
Greece wildfire ‘something out of Apocalypse Now'
15:30
Salma Ouaguira
Residents who witnessed the deadly Greek wildfire raging towards their homes have said they felt like they were witnessing the “end of the world just beyond our doorstep”.
Roberta Kapsalis, who lives in the seaside town of Schinias in Marathon, revealed the harrowing moment the flames approached her area.
She told Metro: “The fire has been nothing short of a nightmare, a real-life ‘Apocalypse Now’. Watching this massive blaze approach has been surreal, like something out of a dark fantasy.
“The sight of the flames consuming everything in their path, inching closer and closer, has felt like a slow-motion horror movie.
“It reminded me vividly of the scenes from The Lord of the Rings when Sauron’s ominous presence looms over Middle-Earth, with his fiery eye burning in the sky.”
Is it safe to travel to Athens during Greece wildfires?
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Salma Ouaguira
Serious forest fire is raging out of control on the outskirts of the Greek capital and tourists are being evacuated in the suburbs of Athens.
Traveling to Greece has not been officially advised against but holidaymakers who have booked a trip to the capital should contact their travel provider for guidance.
Flights are continuing normally for now at Athens airport: smoke can be seen from planes taking off, our travel correspondent Simon Calder writes.
The standard approach for arriving aircraft has been to loop around to the south of Athens, over the Saronic Gulf, and land from southwest to northeast.
Departing aircraft are taking off normally over the Petalioi Gulf. There is no immediate threat to the airport as the area surrounding it is partly built up, and the open land has very little vegetation.
Three flights from London Heathrow landed at Eleftherios Venizelos in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and several more are under way: easyJet from London Gatwick, Ryanair from Luton and Jet2 from Manchester.
Jet2 is telling passengers: “We are aware of the wildfires affecting an area of Athens and are monitoring the situation closely.
“As it currently stands, Athens airport is still open and we are planning to operate our flights as planned. Please allow extra time for your journey to the airport, as there may be road closures in place.”
Pictured: Greeks stand in front of brunt homes after deadly wildfire
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Salma Ouaguira
Where are the Greek wildfires?
14:33
Salma Ouaguira
The worst wildfires of the year in Greece are expanding rapidly as satellite images reveal vast areas covered under a thick shroud of smoke.
The fires, which erupted on Sunday near Lake Marathon, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Athens.
The blaze raced across Mount Penteli and descended into the northern suburbs of Athens, triggering widespread evacuations and claiming at least one life.
Firefighters found the burned body of a woman in an industrial building in the suburb of Vrilissia just after midnight.
The woman, an employee of the business, was believed to have become trapped inside the building in an area that had been under evacuation orders.
Video appears to show huge blaze raging on Greek houses
14:20
Salma Ouaguira
Escalating Crisis: The Growing Severity of Wildfires in Greece
— Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) August 13, 2024
Our thoughts are with all those affected, our respect, thanks and appreciation to all the emergency service workers, firefighters, police, Red Cross and all the volunteers.
All the up-to-the-minute news on:… pic.twitter.com/QqMZhhBXJx
Turkey deploys firefighting planes and one helicopter to assist Greece
14:10
Salma Ouaguira
Turkey’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said two firefighting planes and one helicopter had taken off Tuesday morning headed to Greece.
Helicopters, planes and hundreds of firefighters and vehicles were arriving from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Romania.“I wish all the best to our colleagues who work with the motto ‘Forests are the world’s common heritage,”’ Yumakli posted on the social media platform X.
✈️ Ateş kuşları komşumuzdaki alevleri söndürmek için göklerde.
— İbrahim Yumaklı (@ibrahimyumakli) August 13, 2024
Yunanistan’da devam eden orman yangınına müdahale amacıyla 2 uçak ve 1 helikopterimiz sabah saatlerinde havalandı.
“Ormanlar dünyanın ortak mirasıdır” düsturuyla görev yapan mesai arkadaşlarımıza kolaylıklar… pic.twitter.com/dHewSbsx1Y
Watch: Greek firefighters tackle wall of fire as wildfires continue to rage near Athens
14:00
Salma Ouaguira
Fire department urges residents to follow evacuation orders
13:50
Salma Ouaguira
The Greek fire department has appealed to residents to follow evacuation orders, with authorities noting that some people who had refused to leave their homes later became trapped.
Col. Vassileios Vathrakogiannis, the fire department’s spokesman, said: “During the night, the wind remained strong, creating dangerous situations.”
“Unfortunately their intensity is expected to increase in the coming hours, and in any case citizens of the areas where the fire is developing must follow the directions of authorities,” he added.
Pictured: Greeks heartbroken by fire damage on homes
13:40
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Greece wildfires force hundreds to flee homes
13:30
Salma Ouaguira
Pictured: State of homes left by Greece wildfire in suburbs of Athens
13:20
Salma Ouaguira
Biggest fires out but residents fear strong winds might increase small pockets
13:10
Salma Ouaguira
In the town of Marathon near Athens, residents returned to their home yesterday and watched on as pockets of smoke scattered mountains surrounding the historic region, Rich Booth reports from Greece.
The main road leading in and out of the town to Athens is surrounded by burnt trees and grass.
The grey mountains are shadowed by firefighting planes and helicopters collecting water from the nearby lake where the fire started on Sunday.
The blaze began Sunday afternoon near Lake Marathon, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Athens, coursed across Mount Pendeli and descended onto the northern and northeastern suburbs of Athens.
Local residents say they feel safe enough to return to their homes but fear the winds picking up and spreading the flames once again.
Pictures taken by our reporter on the ground show the area between Lake Marathon and town of Marathon completely black and dead from fire now mostly out.
Helicopters have been spotted picking up water from the lake to tackle pockets left and stop them spreading.
Greek foreign ministry thanks international partners for assistance
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Salma Ouaguira
Our sincere gratitude to #France #Moldova #Romania #Malta #Italy #Türkiye #Serbia #Cyprus #Poland & to the #EU for their assistance to in combating the wildfires pic.twitter.com/99SoUKKKiD
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) August 13, 2024
Greek wildfires spread on edge of Athens as map reveals evacuated areas
12:50
Salma Ouaguira
The Independent’s Rich Booth reports from Greece:
Greece appeals for international help
12:40
Salma Ouaguira
Several other countries have agreed to send support to Greece as it tackles a huge widfire threatening Athens.
Authorities said The General Secretariat of Civil Protection initiated the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) with a request to provide air and ground assistance to deal with the incidents.
So far, the following have responded to the Greek request:
- France, with the shipment of one Super Puma type helicopter, which is expected to arrive this evening.
- Italy, with the dispatch of two Canadair firefighting aircraft, which are expected to arrive tomorrow morning.
- The Czech Republic, sending 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles, of which 9 are waterborne, expected to arrive tomorrow.
- Assistance from Spain and Turkey is also expected.
- Romania already have firefighters on the ground.
US Embassy in Athens: ‘exercise extreme caution in affected areas'
12:30
Salma Ouaguira
The US Embassy in Athens has put out a warning urging travellers to “exercise extreme caution in affected areas”.
The American mission said: “The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has announced Very High Fire Risk (Risk Category 4) and Extreme Fire Risk (Risk Category 5) for many areas in Greece, including areas close to Athens.
“Wildfires may create additional disruptions in the wider areas, such as power and/or water outages, poor air quality, and road closures.
“If you receive an order to evacuate (including via smartphone emergency alert message), follow the Greek authorities’ evacuation orders immediately.”
Satellite images show how quickly Greece’s wildfires are spreading
12:20
Salma Ouaguira
The worst wildfires of the year in Greece are expanding rapidly as satellite images reveal vast areas covered under a thick shroud of smoke.
The fires, which erupted on Sunday near Lake Marathon, raced across Mount Penteli and descended into the northern suburbs of Athens, triggering widespread evacuations and claiming at least one life.
Satellite images from Planet Labs show a vast expanse of land in East Attica engulfed in smoke, with dense clouds obscuring the ground below.
How frequent are wildfires in Greece?
12:10
Salma Ouaguira
Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change is fueling bigger and more frequent blazes.
In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee in their cars.
More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Last year, wildfires in Greece killed more than 20 people, including 18 migrants who became trapped by the flames as they trekked through a forest in northeastern Greece and were caught by a massive fire that burned for more than two weeks.
Government criticised for fire response: ‘Greek people deserve to know the truth’
12:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Greek government has been slammed for its response to the wildfire engulfing the country.
Leader of the opposition and the Syriza party Stefanos Kasselakis quesitoned the amount of emergency teams sent to the affected areas.
Mr Kasselakis demanded prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to reveal the data, adding: “The Greek people deserve to know the truth.”
Responding to criticism, minister of civil protection minister insisted authorities had done everything “humanly possible” to tackle the fires.
Vassilis Kikilias said aerial means were deployed five minutes after the blaze erupted on Sunday and ground forces arrived in seven minutes.
He added: “I will say yet again that from the eruption of the fire on Sunday the time that it took to respond by air was five minutes and with fire engines seven minutes.
“The reality is this: that despite the speed of the operational response – the new dogma that in combination with the technical support of drones has been enforced with the hundreds of fires confronted this summer – when extreme conditions prevail the problem becomes insurmountable.”
Pictured: Flowers left for dead woman found at burnt out factory
11:50
Salma Ouaguira
Explained: Why are there wildfires in Greece every summer?
11:40
Salma Ouaguira
Climate change is projected to make wildfires more frequent and intense, with a global increase of extreme fires of up to 14 per cent by 2030, according to a UN report.
Intense, long-lasting heat draws moisture out of the ground and vegetation.
Once ignited – whether by natural or human triggers - these tinder-dry conditions provide fuel for fires to spread at an incredible speed, aided by very strong winds.
The way that humans use land is also important in affecting how wildfires spread.
Wildfires and climate change are mutually exacerbating. Wildfires are made worse by climate change through increased drought, high air temperatures, low relative humidity, lightning, and strong winds resulting in hotter, drier, and longer fire seasons.
At the same time, climate change is made worse by wildfires, mostly by ravaging sensitive and carbon-rich ecosystems like peatlands and rainforests. This turns landscapes into tinderboxes, making it harder to halt rising temperatures.
Greek authorities issue risk forecast map
11:30
Salma Ouaguira
Map released of wildfire situation in southeastern Europe
11:20
Salma Ouaguira
Overview of the ongoing wildfires and the EU's response in southeastern Europe. ️↓
— EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid (@eu_echo) August 13, 2024
https://t.co/veP3oHZpI7#EUCivilProtection pic.twitter.com/9zJAv6CAKp
Woman found dead in burned factory in Athens was Moldovan citizen
11:19
Salma Ouaguira
The woman who was found dead in a factory in an Athens suburb has been identified as a Moldovan citizen in her 60s, AFP reported.
A resident praised the “hardworking” woman who worked at the factory in Patima Halandriou for two decades.
Klearchos Smaraidas said: “She worked for me 20 years. She was perfect. On every level. She was hardworking, polite.”
Another man said when the building caught fire, most of the employees escaped through the back but the woman was too afraid tried to hide in the bathroom.
New evacuation alert issued for Greek seaside town in Nea Makri
11:10
Salma Ouaguira
An evacuation alert has been issued this morning to residents of the Greek seaside town of Nea Makri, as fire rages for third day.
People from the Erythros area were told to evacuate towards the port of Rafina through Marathonas Avenue.
More than 700 firefighters, 199 fire engines and 35 waterbombing aircraft have been involved in a battle against time to extinguish the fire that started on Sunday.
The Civil Protection Ministry issued a high alert for severe fire today in Attica, Viotia and Evia.
Pictured: Volunteers battle fire at construction business in Vrilissia
11:00
Salma Ouaguira
Greek minister announces ‘no active front' in wildfire
10:50
Salma Ouaguira
Greek minister for climate crisis and civil protection has announced firefighters have managed to reduce the dangerous wildfire.
Vassilis Kikilias said there is no active front and forces are now battling against scattered hotspots in northern areas of Athens.
The government minister said: “During these 40 hours, 702 firefighters, supported by 27 forest commando teams, 199 vehicles, and 35 aerial units—including 17 aircraft and 18 helicopters, three of which were used for coordination—fought the fire in northeastern Attica with superhuman effort.
“Volunteers, the Police, the Army, Forest Service and Forestry Workers, the Authority of Attica Region, and Municipalities, with the assistance of the 112 emergency service, evacuated and saved 45 areas.”
Large areas of Greece have seen little or no rain for months
10:50
Salma Ouaguira
Summers in Greece have long been marked by wildfires but hotter, drier weather linked to climate change have made blazes more frequent and intense. Wildfires fanned by extreme heat have also raged this month in parts of Spain and the Balkans.
The southeastern Mediterranean country this year experienced its warmest winter on record and is on track for its hottest ever summer. Large areas of Greece, including the location of this week’s blaze, have seen little or no rain for months.
Greece is on high fire alert at least until Thursday with temperatures forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Authorities have called for an emergency response involving the army, police and volunteers during that period.
“It’s a very large fire with very aggressive behaviour and many fronts. It’s very close to the city,” said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director of the Athens Observatory.
Greek residents fear ‘dramatic situation’ could escalate as fire burns homes
10:38
Salma Ouaguira
Residents evacuated from areas in northern suburbs in Athena fear the “dramatic situation” could further escalate with winds expected to reach 43 miles per hour.
In scenes never before seen in the Greek capital, people wearing masks were battling against the blaze to stop their homes from being reduced to ashes.
Suburbs near Nea Penteli and Vrilissia have been evacuated to protect them from the fire advancing through the forest.
Melina Kritseli, 40, a civil servant living in a two-storey white house in Patima Halandriou said: “(It’s) the first time ever the fire has come here.”
“I took my children to a friend’s house to be safe,” she told AFP.
Penteli Mayor Natassa Kosmopoulou branded the situation “dramatic,” adding: “A school and homes are on fire, and I can see the fire coming towards the town hall.”
Firefighters warn ‘every hour that passes will be more difficult’
10:22
Salma Ouaguira
Greek firefighters have warned “every hour that passes” will be more difficult to extinguish the fire with winds expected to further spread the blaze.
Hundreds of firefighters backed by 200 fire engines and 12 water-bombing aircraft continue to battle the wildfire hitting northeast Athens.
Head of the association of Greek firefighter officers Costas Tsigkas told ERT state television the army of firefighters had made progress during the night.
“We are at a better level across the front,” Mr Tsigkas said.
But warned “conditions again will not be easy,” adding: “There will be winds from midday onwards. Every hour that passes will be more difficult.”
Palestine offers civil defence teams to assist Greece with wildfire
10:10
Salma Ouaguira
The President of the State of Palestine Mr. Mahmoud Abbas in a message of solidarity with #Greece expresses #Palestine’s readiness to send Palestinian civil defense teams to assist its friends the Brave Greek civil defense teams in battling the wildfires. #φωτια #Παλαιστινη pic.twitter.com/ZHMjLfeII6
— Yussef Dorkhom (@PalestineJo) August 12, 2024
Hundreds died during fires in east of Athens in past years
10:00
Salma Ouaguira
Wildfires are frequent in the Mediterranean country during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have said climate change is fueling bigger and more frequent blazes.
In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on the roads as they tried to flee in their cars.
More than 100 people died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Last year, wildfires in Greece killed more than 20 people, including 18 migrants who became trapped by the flames as they trekked through a forest in northeastern Greece and were caught by a massive blaze that burned for more than two weeks.
Satellite imagery shows the extent of damage to historic town Marathon
09:50
Salma Ouaguira
Pictured: Burned out houses after the wildfire in Halandri
09:40
Salma Ouaguira
What are the airlines saying?
09:30
Salma Ouaguira
Flights are continuing normally to and from Athens airport, our travel correspondent Simon Calder writes.
Three flights from London Heathrow landed at Eleftherios Venizelos in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and several more are under way: easyJet from London Gatwick, Ryanair from Luton and Jet2 from Manchester.
Jet2 is telling passengers: “We are aware of the wildfires affecting an area of Athens and are monitoring the situation closely.“As it currently stands, Athens airport is still open and we are planning to operate our flights as planned.
“Please allow extra time for your journey to the airport, as there may be road closures in place.”
An easyJet spokesperson said: “Our flight schedule to and from Athens is currently operating as normal however we continue to closely monitor the situation and the advice of the relevant authorities.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.”
Woman found dead in Greece fire was factory employee
09:13
Salma Ouaguira
Firefighters found the burned body of a woman in an industrial building in the suburb of Vrilissia just after midnight, Rich Booth reports from Athens.
The woman, believed to be in her 60s, was found inside a factory in Patima Halandriou - a municipality of more than 70,000 residents evacuated on Monday.
The woman was believed to have been an employee who became trapped inside the building in an area that had been under evacuation orders.
What are your rights if you are there or have a holiday booked?
09:10
Salma Ouaguira
More than 700 firefighters have been deployed as a serious forest fire rages out of control on the outskirts of the Greek capital, Athens.
The historic Greek town of Marathon, is said to be “engulfed in flames”, with the population evacuated.
The US Embassy in Athens has put out a warning urging travellers to “exercise extreme caution in affected areas”, saying: “The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has announced Very High Fire Risk (Risk Category 4) and Extreme Fire Risk (Risk Category 5) for many areas in Greece, including areas close to Athens.”
This is happening in the peak summer spell, so what are your rights if you are there or have a holiday booked?
Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, has some answers:
Fears strong winds will spread deadly fire in Athens
09:05
Salma Ouaguira
Meteorologists have raised the alarm at strong winds likely to spread the deadly fire in Athens.
Local media reported winds have now died, helping to control the large blaze but they are still blowing at fairly significant intensities in the capital.
As Meteo.gr of the National Observatory of Athens predicted wind gusts in Attica could exceed 60-70 km/h, locally. Particularly dangerous are the lunch hours, from midday to 3pm.
The forecast also claimed winds are expected to weaken and in the evening dropping significantly.
Mapped: Where have the wildfires been?
09:00
Salma Ouaguira
Animal charities urge for more assistance to treat burned pets
08:59
Salma Ouaguira
Animal rescuers have called for assistance from trained vets to treat burned pets at their centre.
Taking to Facebook, Dog’s Voice urged locals to donate pet food to feed dozens of animals.
In a post, they said: “We continue to accept animals from the affected areas. Six burned animals are currently being treated at Animal Doctorz and vet clinic in Glyka Nera and two animals unfortunately succumbed to their burns.
“At the station, as always, we have veterinarians of the Voluntary Action of Veterinarians of Greece (E.D.K.E.) and other private veterinarians who take care of the station's animals.
“However, we need at least veterinary assistants to come here for the whole night.”
Evacuation order issued by authorities
08:50
Salma Ouaguira
⚠️ Activation of 112 - Emergency Number
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 13, 2024
Wildfire in your area
If you are in the area of #Erithros #Nea_Makri, evacuate via Marathonos Avenue towards #Rafina.
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/tg45OiBehz@pyrosvestiki@hellenicpolice https://t.co/KhvsgusnoE
‘Exhausted’ firefighters have been working ‘at full tilt for months'
08:45
Salma Ouaguira
Firefighters battling the flames are “exhausted” after working “at full tilt for months”, a union said.
The blaze that started on Sunday near Lake Marathon, about 22 miles northeast of Athens, has now reached the capital’s northern suburbs.
The raging fire has left several homes and business in ashes with thousands evacuated. A woman’s body was found inside a burnt factory in Vrilissia.
“Firefighters have been working at full tilt for months,” said Nikos Lavranos, head of Greece’s main firefighters’ union. “They are exhausted.”
Ground report: Tourists in Athens return to the streets after night of deadly wildfires just miles away
08:40
Salma Ouaguira
Deadly wildfires that raged just miles from the centre of Athens appeared to have slowed down on Tuesday morning, but with a warning that they could pick back up at any time.
The fire left at least one person dead and triggered evacuations as strong swirling winds hampered the efforts of firefighters and water-dropping planes.
The fire department said shortly after midnight that firefighters found a body in a burnt building in the suburb of Vrilissia, local media report the body is that of a woman.
Rich Booth reports from Athens:
Watch: Greece forest fire smoke clouds sky with orange haze
08:30
Stuti Mishra
