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Key Points

Greece has urgently requested EU firefighting assistance as multiple wildfires rage near Athens and across islands. A major blaze near Kryoneri village threatens areas previously burned in 2021. Authorities report over 1,000 fires since June, with heatwaves and winds worsening conditions. Evacuations are underway as firefighters battle flames with aircraft and ground teams.

Key Points: Greece Seeks EU Help as Wildfires Threaten Athens and Islands

  • Greece requests 6 EU aircraft for 5 major wildfire fronts
  • Blaze near Athens threatens Kryoneri village, site of 2021 fires
  • Over 1,000 wildfires recorded since June with 190 arrests
  • Evacuations ordered as heatwave and winds fuel fire risks
2 min read

Greece requests EU assistance as wildfires rage across country

Greece requests EU firefighting aid amid raging wildfires near Athens and islands, with evacuations underway and over 1,000 blazes since June.

"Soaring temperatures and high winds significantly raise the risk of fires spreading rapidly. – Costas Tsigkas, Greek Firefighter Association"

Athens, July 27

Greece requested assistance from the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism to combat multiple wildfires raging across the country, according to local broadcaster Mega Channel.

The request includes six water-dropping aircraft to help battle five to six major wildfire fronts burning simultaneously in various regions of the eastern Mediterranean nation. The EU mechanism has reportedly approved the request, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Mega Channel.

The most concerning blaze erupted early Saturday afternoon near Kryoneri, a village north of Athens at the foothills of Mt. Parnitha. A firefighting force of 145 personnel, supported by 44 vehicles, as well as numerous volunteers and municipal water tankers, was deployed to the area. At least 17 firefighting aircraft operated until nightfall, according to Greek news outlet To Vima.

Wildfires were also reported earlier Saturday on the Aegean island of Kythira, in Messinia prefecture in the southern Peloponnese, in the central part of Evia Island, at the Temenia site in Chania prefecture on Crete, and later in the Molaous district of Laconia in southeastern Greece.

Authorities said the fire north of Athens appeared particularly threatening by dusk. The same area has experienced major wildfires in the past, most recently in August 2021.

Earlier this month, firefighters in Greece were battling more than 50 wildfires across the country, as authorities warned of heightened danger due to an intensifying heatwave and strong winds.

Evacuation alerts were issued in several locations as precautionary measures, the Fire Service said.

No casualties have been reported, despite more than 1,000 wildfires recorded since the start of June, according to Costas Tsigkas, head of the Association of Greek Firefighter Officers. Speaking to state broadcaster ERT, Tsigkas urged the public to exercise caution as soaring temperatures and high winds significantly raise the risk of fires spreading rapidly.

Since the beginning of the official fire season on May 1, more than 190 individuals have been arrested in connection with wildfires, including 125 for negligence, such as burning vegetation or using machinery that can emit sparks, the Fire Service said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why is EU taking so long to respond? When we had Kerala floods, our armed forces were deployed within hours. Emergency situations need faster action!
A
Arjun K
The arrests for negligence are important - we need similar strict enforcement in India too. So many forest fires are caused by careless human activities. Stay safe Greece!
S
Sarah B
As someone who visited Greece last summer, this is devastating. Their forests and islands are so beautiful. Hope they get the help they need quickly. The volunteer efforts are inspiring.
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Vikram M
We should learn from Greece's disaster management system. Their coordination between agencies seems much better than what we saw during recent disasters in India. But still, nature's fury is hard to control completely.
K
Kavya N
The firefighters are real heroes! Working in such extreme conditions. We should have more international cooperation for climate disasters - whether it's Greece, Canada or India facing them.

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