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 Athens.
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 rapid spread of the fire has been helped by the hot, windy weather and burning pine cones falling from trees.
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.
Greece’s National Observatory said satellite images showed the blaze had affected about 25,000 acres.
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.
Stergios Tsirkas, mayor of the historic Greek town of Marathon, warned they were facing a “biblical catastrophe”.
Key Points
- One dead in Greece as fire continues
- More than 600 firefighters deployed to battle wildfires
- Nearly 400 police officers deployed to help with evacuations
- Wildfire spreading ‘like lightning’
- Mapped: Where have the wildfires been?
Pinned post: Should you be worried about your travel plans to Greece?
Monday 12 August 2024 12:54
Jabed Ahmed
As wildfires rage through mainland Greece, prospective travellers may be worried about how this will impact their holiday plans.
From the UK:
A spokesperson for Jet2 told The Independent: “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.”
Ryanair confirmed it is operating as usual and will follow guidance from local authorities.
The Independent has reached out to British Airways and EasyJet for comment.
Within Greece:
Greece’s coast guard ordered all ferries going to and from the nearby port of Rafina, which serves mainly the Cycladic islands and Crete, to be diverted to the port of Lavrion due to the fire.
Meteorologists and government officials have warned of the heightened danger of wildfires because of weather conditions from Sunday until Thursday, with half of the country placed under a “red alert” for wildfire hazard.
Mapped: Where have the wildfires been?
Monday 12 August 2024 11:48
Jabed Ahmed
One dead in Greece as fire continues
05:27
Stuti Mishra
One person has died as wildfires spread in the suburbs of Athens in Greece on Monday.
The fire department said shortly after midnight they found a body in a burnt building in the suburb of Vrilissia, but were unable to immediately provide further details.
A source from the fire service told the BBC that the body was believed to be of a woman.
Explained: Why are there wildfires in Greece every summer?
05:00
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Greece to get international assistance amid raging wildfires
04:30
Stuti Mishra
Greek firefighters were to be boosted by forces from other countries from Tuesday, after Athens sought international assistance, activating Europe's mutual civil protection mechanism.
France will provide a helicopter and 200 firefighters with 28 fire trucks, Italy two water-dropping planes and the Czech Republic 75 firefighters and 25 vehicles, officials said, while Serbia and Romania were also readying aid. Neighbouring Turkey's foreign ministry said it would dispatch two firefighting planes and a helicopter, while Spain was also finalising reinforcements to send to Greece.
Greece appeals for international help
04:03
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Greek wildfires spread on edge of Athens as map reveals evacuated areas
03:00
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Rich Booth reports from Greece:
How frequent are wildfires in Greece?
02:02
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Fire department urges residents to follow evacuation order
Tuesday 13 August 2024 00:04
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Watch: Greek firefighters tackle wall of fire as wildfires continue to rage near Athens
Monday 12 August 2024 23:02
Jabed Ahmed
Athens wildfires: What are your rights if you are there or have a holiday booked?
Monday 12 August 2024 22:16
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Travel Correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Tourists in Athens oblivious to the fires
Monday 12 August 2024 22:05
Rich Booth in Athens
Tourists carried on as usual in the centre of Athens with packed tavernas full of holiday makers mostly oblivious to the fires raging north of the city.
An American couple enjoying dinner in the Plaka region of the city said they were offered face masks when they left the hotel this morning due to the strong smell of smoke.
Satellite imagery shows the extent of damage to historic town Marathon
Monday 12 August 2024 21:46
Jabed Ahmed
Pictured: Local residents protect themselves from the thick smoke caused by a wildfire near Penteli
Monday 12 August 2024 21:13
Jabed Ahmed
Authorities issue risk forecast map for tomorrow
Monday 12 August 2024 20:48
Jabed Ahmed
Watch: Greece wildfires force hundreds to flee homes
Monday 12 August 2024 20:13
Jabed Ahmed
Explained: Why are there wildfires in Greece every summer?
Monday 12 August 2024 19:49
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Large areas of Greece have seen little or no rain for months
Monday 12 August 2024 19:14
Jabed Ahmed
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.
National Observatory of Athens under threat from fire.
Monday 12 August 2024 18:42
Jabed Ahmed
The wildfires have spread yo the facilities of the National Observatory of Athens on Koufos Hill in Penteli, threatening important facilities, technologies and years of research efforts.
Δυστυχώς η μεγάλη δασική πυρκαγιά επεκτάθηκε μόλις και στις εγκαταστάσεις του Εθνικόν Αστεροσκοπείον Αθηνών στο Λόφο Κουφού στην Πεντέλη, απειλώντας σημαντικές εγκαταστάσεις, τεχνολογίες, κόπους και προσπάθειες ερευνητικές χρόνων.#πυρκαγιά #Βαρνάβα pic.twitter.com/yZPDEnuopY
— meteo.gr - Ο καιρός (@meteogr) August 12, 2024
Situation remains ‘extremely difficult’ - Fire Service spokesperson
Monday 12 August 2024 18:28
Alex Ross
Vassiolos Vathrakogiannis, spokesperson for the country’s fire service, has provided an updated from his organisation’s operations centre.
He said a total of 702 firefighters, supported by 27 forest commando teams, 199 vehicles, and volunteers, were fighting the ongoing wildfire that has been burning since Sunday.
A total of 30 messages have been issued via the 112 emergency service, the latest instructing residents to evacuate the settlements of New and Old Penteli, Patima Chalandriou, Patima Vrilission, Krasa Ano Vrilission, as well as from Dionysos and Kalentzi Marathon, towards safe directions, he said.
He said: “The situation remains extremely difficult in areas of northeastern Attica due to the ongoing wildfire that has been burning since yesterday.”
Greece appeals for international help
Monday 12 August 2024 18:14
Rich Booth, in Greece
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.
Greek wildfires spread on edge of Athens as map reveals evacuated areas
Monday 12 August 2024 17:19
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Rich Booth reports from Greece:
Power cuts reported across Athens
Monday 12 August 2024 16:46
Jabed Ahmed
Power cuts have been reported in several areas of Athens and also affected traffic lights at major junctions in the centre, according to Associated Press.
At least 25 towns evacuated
Monday 12 August 2024 16:17
Jabed Ahmed
At least 25 areas were forced to evacuate residents, government officials said, along with at least three hospitals, and power cuts occurred in parts of the wider Athens region.
Police had so far helped evacuate more than 250 people, and some residents spent the night in shelters.
As a phalanx of flames closed in on backyards on the outskirts of Athens, some residents in Penteli stayed put, trying to put out pockets of fire using hoses or tree branches as smoke swirled around them.
Pantelis Kyriazis, crashed his car as he tried to escape the encroaching flames. “I couldn’t see, I hit a pine tree and this is what happened,” he told news agency Reuters, gesturing towards his damaged car and nursing a bleeding elbow.
US Embassy in Athens: ‘exercise extreme caution in affected areas'
Monday 12 August 2024 16:02
Jabed Ahmed
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.”
Authorities issue risk forecast map for tomorrow
Monday 12 August 2024 15:47
Jabed Ahmed
⚠️ Χάρτης Πρόβλεψης Κινδύνου για αύριο Τρίτη 13/08:
— Civil Protection GR (@CivPro_GR) August 12, 2024
Πολύ υψηλός κίνδυνος 4️⃣ σε:
#Αττική
κεντρική & νότια #Εύβοια
περιοχές #Βοιωτίας
Υψηλός κίνδυνος 3️⃣ στο σύνολο της νησιωτικής χώρας και σε πολλές περιοχές της ηπειρωτικής
ℹ https://t.co/qBoE12eUta pic.twitter.com/4iNZPjkh93
Pictured: Wildfires destroy homes
Monday 12 August 2024 15:13
Jabed Ahmed
Satellite imagery shows the extent of damage to historic town Marathon
Monday 12 August 2024 15:13
Jabed Ahmed
Athens wildfires: What are your rights if you are there or have a holiday booked?
Monday 12 August 2024 15:11
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Travel Correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Firefighters sent in from neighbouring countries to help fight the blaze
Monday 12 August 2024 14:52
Jabed Ahmed
Fighting day&night against wildfires that rage #Attica region. 40 firefighters&vehicles are deployed alongside their colleagues in a spirit of #solidarity& a continous effort to abate the flames.@IGSU_URGENTE_RO @CivPro_GR @pyrosvestiki @Vkikilias @MAIRomania @eu_echo pic.twitter.com/LPvFdm0KpW
— Embassy of Romania to the Hellenic Republic (@RomaniaInGreece) August 12, 2024
Watch: Greek firefighters tackle wall of fire as wildfires continue to rage near Athens
Monday 12 August 2024 14:19
Jabed Ahmed
All ferries from Rafina port diverted
Monday 12 August 2024 14:03
Jabed Ahmed
Greece‘s coast guard has ordered all ferries going to and from the nearby port of Rafina, which serves mainly the Cycladic islands and Crete, to be diverted to the port of Lavrion due to the fire.
Firefighters fear one strong gust of wind can reignite wildfire
Monday 12 August 2024 13:43
Jabed Ahmed
Firefighters at the scene of a fire in Marathon have told local media strong winds and dry ground have made for extremely difficult conditions, adding that when they feel like a blaze is under control one strong gust of wind can reignite it.
Watch: Greece forest fire smoke clouds sky with orange haze
Monday 12 August 2024 13:23
Jabed Ahmed
Statement by the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias
Monday 12 August 2024 12:58
Jabed Ahmed
The Greek minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias has issued a statement.
He said: “Since yesterday afternoon, the residents of northeastern Attica have been facing an extremely dangerous wildfire that we have been battling for over 20 hours under dramatic conditions. These challenges are due to the strong winds, prolonged drought, and the very difficult and rugged terrain of dense, unburnt forest.
“Currently, a fierce battle is being waged on two fronts: one in the area of Kallitechnoupoli and the other in the area of Grammatikos.
“The situation is improved in the areas of Dionysos, Varnavas, and Mikrochori.”
Mr Kikilias added: “I want to be clear: The response to the initial outbreak in Varnavas, both on the ground and in the air, was immediate. The first aerial unit, was already in the air on a loaded patrol, and started operating just five minutes after the fire erupted. The first ground forces arrived within seven minutes.
“The forces were steadily reinforced, with the number of aerial units eventually reaching 29 and the firefighters exceeding 500.
“Unfortunately, the prediction from the Risk Assessment Committee, which placed Attica and other regions of Greece on red alert, has been confirmed. We will continue with all our strength until the fire is under control and every last hotspot is extinguished.”
Pictured: Firefighters tackle blaze in Grammatiko, near Athens
Monday 12 August 2024 12:26
Jabed Ahmed
Fire department urges residents to follow evacuation orders
Monday 12 August 2024 11:59
Jabed Ahmed
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.
How frequent are wildfires in Greece?
Monday 12 August 2024 11:45
Jabed Ahmed
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.
Watch: Greece wildfires force hundreds to flee homes
Monday 12 August 2024 11:30
Jabed Ahmed
Evacuation order issued by authorities
Monday 12 August 2024 11:21
Jabed Ahmed
⚠️ Activation of 112 - Emergency Number
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) August 12, 2024
Wildfire in the area of #Erithros #Nea_Makri
If you are in #Erithros #Nea_Makri, move away via Marathonos Avenue towards #Rafina.
‼️ Follow the instructions of the Authorities
ℹ️ https://t.co/tg45OiBehz@pyrosvestiki… https://t.co/l3o9mgTsaa
Police rescue child from block of flats near wildfire
Monday 12 August 2024 11:15
Jabed Ahmed
Σε περισσότερους από 250 απεγκλωβισμούς ατόμων έχουν προχωρήσει οι δυνάμεις της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας από τις περιοχές που πλήγονται από την πυρκαγιά στην Αττική.
— Ελληνική Αστυνομία (@hellenicpolice) August 12, 2024
Επιχειρούν 380 αστυνομικοί με 77 οχήματα, 36 δίκυκλα, 3 λεωφορεία και 4 βαν.
Αν χρειάζεστε βοήθεια μπορείτε να… pic.twitter.com/QbSVMlDPLO
EasyJet gives update on flights to Greece
Monday 12 August 2024 11:02
Jabed Ahmed
British Airline group EasyJet has provided an update on flights to Athens from the UK.
A spokesperson for EasyJet told The Independent: "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”.
Full report: Greece wildfires force thousands to evacuate as warning issued to tourists
Monday 12 August 2024 11:00
Jabed Ahmed
The Independent’s Rich Booth reports on the ground from Greece:
Two hospitals north of Athens evacuated
Monday 12 August 2024 10:45
Jabed Ahmed
Two hospitals in Penteli, just north of Athens, were evacuated in the morning as the wildfires continue to spread.
Authorities evacuated the Penteli Children’s Hospital and the 414 Military Hospital.
Wildfire spreading ‘like lightning’, officials say
Monday 12 August 2024 10:35
Jabed Ahmed
Firefighting aircraft resumed operations early on Monday after an overnight pause.
Police said they had helped evacuate at least 250 people in danger. Some residents spent the night in shelters but authorities could not yet provide an exact number.
At least three hospitals and several communities had been evacuated in the Penteli area.
The blaze, with flames as high as 82 feet, had spread “like lightning” due to gale-force winds, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said on Sunday.
Thick clouds of smoke darkened the sky over Athens by Sunday evening. Hours later, the flames were nearing the residential suburb of Dionysos about 14 miles northeast of the city centre, and nearby districts.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the fire brigade’s operations centre on Monday morning after rushing back from a holiday break on the island of Crete - with memories still fresh of a 2018 fire that killed 104 people in the seaside town of Mati, near the capital.
‘We feel great sadness and anger’: residents forced to evacuate their homes
Monday 12 August 2024 10:31
Jabed Ahmed
By Monday the fire, the worst in Greece this year, had advanced to the village of Grammatiko, the seaside municipality of Nea Makri and the fringes of Athens’ densely populated northern suburbs at the heavily wooded Mount Penteli.
“It hurts, we have grown up in this forest. We feel great sadness and anger,” 24-year old Penteli resident Marina Kalogerakou told news agency Reuters outside her home, which the flames had nearly reached.
Winds were expected to pick up further in the coming hours, aggravating the blaze, said Theodore Giannaros, researcher at the National Observatory of Athens. “We have a very difficult day ahead of us,” he told state TV ERT.
Nearly 400 police officers deployed to help with evacuations
Monday 12 August 2024 10:26
Jabed Ahmed
The police department said 380 police officers with 77 vehicles, 36 motorcycles, three buses and four vans were assisting in the evacuations, and by mid-morning had helped move more than 250 people away from the path of the flames.
It posted a video on its social media channels showing police officers carrying elderly people in their arms out of houses and to waiting vehicles, against a backdrop of a night sky turned red from the flames and smoke.
Authorities in nearby suburbs opened at least one sports hall and were providing rooms in hotels for evacuees, while yet more suburbs were put on standby for potential evacuation.
Three Athens hospitals were put on heightened alert to treat any potential injuries.
Pictured: Hundreds of firefighters tackle huge blaze
Monday 12 August 2024 10:23
Jabed Ahmed
More than 600 firefighters deployed to battle wildfires
Monday 12 August 2024 10:21
Jabed Ahmed
Greek firefighters have warned of fires spreading even further over the next few days as strong winds are expected, blowing wildifres to more land left dry after months without rain.
Emergency services are focusing efforts on Kallitechnoupoli and Grammatiko in eastern Attica after hundreds were evacuated on Sunday.
Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday during a news briefing that conditions have improved in Dionysos, Varnava, and Mikrochori.
“Since yesterday, residents of northeastern Attica have been facing an extremely dangerous fire. We are battling it under severe conditions due to strong winds, prolonged drought, and the area’s difficult terrain,” the minister said.
Some 670 firefighters, 27 forest commandos, 183 vehicles, 17 water-dropping planes, and 15 helicopters are deployed, Kikilias said.
He added that winds are still at 7 Beaufort Monday and are expected to remain strong in the coming days.
Welcome to our live coverage
Monday 12 August 2024 10:20
Jabed Ahmed
Welcome to The Independent live coverage of the wildfires on the outskirts of the Greek capital, Athens.
Follow for the latest updates.
