A deadly wildfire crisis has gripped the suburbs of Athens, Greece, as one person was found dead amid fierce fires on Monday. The victim, believed to be a woman, was discovered in a shop in Vrilissia, northern Athens, according to a source from the fire service.
The wildfires, which began on Sunday, have led to the evacuation of thousands of residents as firefighters battle to protect homes, businesses, and schools. The situation remains perilous, with fire service spokesman Col Vassilios Vathrakogiannis warning that while there is no longer a single active fire front in the north-eastern Attica region, multiple localized blazes continue to threaten areas around Marathon and Penteli.
As of Monday evening, more than 700 firefighters, supported by 199 fire engines and 35 waterbombing aircraft, have been deployed in the fight against the fires. Two firefighters have sustained burns during the intense efforts.
The scale of destruction is vast, with Greece’s National Observatory reporting that by noon on Monday, approximately 100,000 acres (405 sq km) of land had been affected. In the midst of the devastation, residents like 24-year-old Marina Kalogerakou expressed their heartbreak, trying to douse flames with whatever means they had.
European nations, including Italy, France, Serbia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Romania, have pledged assistance, sending aircraft, vehicles, and personnel. Turkey has also prepared to send additional support. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assured Greece of the EU’s solidarity as it faces these catastrophic fires.
Greece’s extreme summer heat, the hottest June and July on record, has exacerbated the risk of wildfires, a danger that continues to grow as global temperatures rise due to climate change.
