A massive evacuation is underway in Athens suburbs on Monday as a major forest fire engulfs the northern part of the Greek capital. Hundreds of firefighters are on the ground trying to extinguish the raging fire. Dozens of water-dropping planes were also involved in efforts to quell the fire.
Flames towered over 25 metres (80 ft) at times burning homes and destroying the properties in its way. According to Fire Department officials, winds are making it difficult for the firefighters.
Power cuts were reported in several parts of Athens.
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday that authorities are faced with an exceptionally dangerous fire. “We have been fighting for more than 20 hours under dramatic circumstances,” Kikilias.
The fire was burning mainly on two separate fronts, with some parts difficult to reach on the mountain northeast of Athens, Kikilias added.
A children’s hospital, a military hospital, a children’s home and two monasteries were evacuated by Monday afternoon. Alerts were issued to people in the affected regions to evacuate as the fire rages on.
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“The smoke was suffocating. You couldn't see. Your eyes teared up. You couldn't breathe. You couldn't see the house," said Spyros Gorilas, a resident of the area of Dioni. "Even the helicopter that dropped water, you couldn't see it. You could only hear it. Nothing else,” he added.
Over 600 firefighters, backed by 27 teams specially trained to tackle wildfires were deployed in the affected areas, said Fire Department spokesperson Col. Vassileios Vathrakogiannis.
More than 190 vehicles were deployed, with aerial support from 17 water-dropping planes and 16 helicopters.
Hospitals were also kept on alert. Paramedics and ambulances were also active on the ground attending to firefighters with light burns and others for breathing problems.
The Athens Medical Association urged residents near affected areas to exercise caution, especially those with chronic conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with respiratory and heart problems.
Those evacuated from the affected regions sought shelter in sports halls and hotels.
The police department said 380 police officers with 77 vehicles, 36 motorcycles, three buses and four vans were assisting in evacuations. Around 250 people were evacuated from the area, said officials.
With half of the country placed under a red alert for wildfire hazard, meteorologists have warned of the heightened danger of wildfires.
During summers, wildfires are quite frequent in Greece, however, climate change has fuelled more frequent fires this time, say officials.
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 back then. Meanwhile, around 20 people were killed in Greece last year in wildfires.