This photograph taken on August 5, 2021 shows trees burning as a fire spreads around the village of Afidnes, some 30 kilometres north of Athens. © AFP – Louisa Gouliamaki
Thousands of residents fled to safety from a wildfire that burned for a fourth day north of Athens early Friday, during an overnight battle to stop the flames from reaching populated areas, electricity installations and historic sites. The Greek Health ministry said it had recorded the first fatality after a 38-year-old man was killed by a falling electricity pole north of Athens.
In heat wave conditions, the blaze tore through forest areas 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) north of the capital, destroying more homes. Ground crews of several hundred firefighters dug fire breaks and hosed the flames.
Traffic was halted on the country’s main highway connecting Athens to northern Greece, as crews tried to use the road as a barrier to stop the flames advancing before water-dropping planes could resume at first light. But sparks and burning pine cones carried the fire across the highway at several points.
Several firefighters and volunteers were hospitalized with burns, health officials said.
‘One of the most difficult nights’
VIDEO:Thousands evacuated as wildfires rage near Athens • FRANCE 24 English
“We are going through the 10th day of a major heat wave affecting our entire country, the worst heat wave in terms of intensity and duration of the last 30 years,” Fire Service Brig. Gen. Aristotelis Papadopoulos said.
Source:france24.com