Massive wildfire reaches Athens suburbs, 35 injured

Thousands of people in northeastern Athens and the larger Attica region remained up late on Monday night for the second straight night because a large, rapidly spreading wildfire was posing a threat to the nation's capital.

The fire, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, has spread quickly and is still raging on multiple fronts despite a massive firefighting effort involving over 700 firefighters, military personnel, volunteers, 35 water dropping aircraft, and helicopters, according to a Fire Brigade spokesperson.

But the situation improved by Monday night in several other areas, he added.

The wildfire broke out on Sunday afternoon near the historic town of Marathon, the birthplace of the marathon race, about 40 kilometers northeast of downtown Athens.

By Monday evening, the fire has reached the capital's suburbs, scorching over 400 square kilometers of forested land and farmland, according to initial estimates of the National Observatory of Athens.

A total of 35 people, including three firefighters, were slightly injured, mostly from respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation, the Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

But he dismissed local media claims of a person missing in a northern suburb.

Meanwhile, at least 30 emergency alerts have been issued for evacuation of settlements, the spokesperson said. Evacuees were accommodated at hotels and sports facilities, including the Athens Olympic Athletic Center, the main venue of the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics.

On Monday, thick plumes of smoke shrouded parts of Athens for a second day, with authorities advising the public to stay indoors and close windows to avoid inhaling toxic substances released from burning factories in northern suburbs.

The smoke from the wildfire has spread as far as 300 kilometers south of Attica, according to Greek scientists citing satellite images.

Italy, France, Romania, the Czech Republic, Türkiye and Serbia have responded to Greece's request for the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and pledged support with personnel, fire engines, water dropping aircraft and helicopters, the Fire Brigade said.

Teams from Romania and the Czech Republic were deployed on Monday evening.

Since the beginning of summer, Greek firefighters have battled dozens of wildfires across the country each day, with 40 on Sunday and Monday respectively, the Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

Greece experiences frequent wildfires each summer due to heatwaves linked to climate change, as well as arson. This year, two people have lost their lives in wildfires, following 20 fatalities last year. In 2018, over 100 people died in a wildfire, which swept through the seaside resort of Mati.