Greece wildfires reach Athens as thousands are evacuated | BBC News

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as large wildfires reach the suburbs of Athens, with some flames leaping as high as 25m (80ft).

Homes and properties in nearby towns such as Varnavas as well as northeastern parts of the Greek capital are on fire, including a school in Nea Penteli.

With the sun setting, aircraft working to extinguish the flames have been forced to land, making it a ground operation overnight.

Residents are complaining there are not enough fire trucks and firefighters to help, as Greek authorities request international assistance.

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[mlliarm]

Zero planning. Zero help. Thank you Mr Mitsotakis.

[PeaceInChrist]

Praying for the people of Greece right now.

[one_way_road]

the last 4 years every wildfire happened in greece was done by the greek goverment, the law says that every burnt forest and mountains need to be reforestate immediately instead the goverment illegally is putting everywhere wind turbines. Just like the prime minister said inside the greek parliament "we need to put them somewhere"(wind turbines).

[thedonofdank]

It's not caused from climate change, it's caused by annual tradition.
Being Greek i know better. You call it wildfires we call it planning permission.
If you look back just a decade in all the forested areas around Greek cities that have had wildfires, what is in the place of those burned forests? Is it new forest? No, it's villas, roads, swimming pools ect.
Do i need to say any more?

[supertime]

❤God help our Greek🇬🇷 neighbors from Turkiye 🇹🇷we will help with what we have

[MariaBareiss]

I'm so sorry this is happening. Athens is so beautiful!

[apolitis]

every summer we have huge fires (for decades now)and every summer we are unprepared...that shows everything you need to know about the government's way of thinking as well as it's citizens lack of political responsibility

[baci]

Those deliberately lighting them should be found and arrested

[dennissavage]

Making way for more housing developments

[covidonenine]

This has been happening in Greece for decades. It's about time the authorities started doing some effective forest management, instead of just whining about climate change 🙄

[jenmu]

all the wild animals have to suffer because of our stupid species. 😢

[Dogfacedbloke]

Greece is like this every summer. We used to visit all the time and more times than not we had days where the sun was blotted out by fires. Once we had to stand in the sea with towels over our head. That was decades ago.

[kerrygligorovic]

The world still haven't learn anything from back in 2022 because that was the worst heatwaves as the temperatures went up has cause a lot of wildfire, drought and deaths. If the people of the world have just take this climate change very seriously and do something about it then maybe the year wouldn't have gotten worst.

[suzannejones]

This fire has been burning for 33hrs the help from other countries is still another 12 hours away. With one extra helicopter and 75 extra firefighters after 45 hours what difference will it make, thank you EU.

[sailordora]

Thank you Greek government. Thank you EU. Thank you for the absolute NOTHING.

[georgiosdem]

Unfortunately, Greece has been left to its fate😢

[thediamondprincechristian]

This might sound crazy but I think cloud seeding rain might be the only thing that can allow the trees and grass to survive another 300 years at least.

[messrsandersonco]

Considering most of these wildfires occur every year and near the coast, wouldn't it be more cost-effective to create fire breakers and have an army of helicopters dumping sea water 12 hours per day than all this dévastation?

[insidecyprus]

There will be no relief from the high temperatures in Cyprus of over 40C through early September, according to the Climate Watch body of the German Meteorological Service (DWD).

According to the DWD on Tuesday, heatwaves and extreme temperatures will continue for the rest of August and into the first week of September throughout the eastern Mediterranean region.

[MrTM-fgzn]

Same problem 2 years ago. People became the fire department. That lady is 91 years old. At least they have a helicopter now.