25-Meter-High Flames: Forest Fire Near Athens Out of Control

An uncontrolled forest fire near Athens has reached a critical level, with flames over 25 meters high. The fire has spread to the pine forests of Attica, putting cities like Marathon at risk.

As a result, residential areas have been evacuated, and 670 firefighters and 30 planes have been deployed to combat the blaze. The situation is exacerbated by the highest alert level due to drought, heat waves, and stormy winds.

The heat and winds are expected to persist until Thursday. The Greek Minister has warned that this fire is particularly dangerous.

This comes as Greece battles several wildfires across the country, with the Athens inferno being the most devastating. The Greek government has called for assistance from the EU, and countries like France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Romania have sent reinforcements.

The situation is reminiscent of the 2018 Mati fire, which claimed the lives of 104 people. The Greek summer has experienced dozens of daily blazes due to the warmest winter and hottest June/July since 1960. The fires near Athens have caused disruptions to transportation, including airports and ferries.

The UK advises its citizens in the area to contact Greek emergency services for assistance, and travel insurance may not cover cancellations. The situation remains critical, with high winds and temperatures expected to continue for the next few days.