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Thousands evacuated after fire in Athens suburbs

Broadcast United News Desk
Thousands evacuated after fire in Athens suburbs

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Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze for a second day on Monday grandmother fire forestry Fueled by strong winds, the blaze had reached the gates of Athens, forcing authorities to evacuate tens of thousands of people, according to a firefighters spokesman.

more than 560 firefighters, 177 trucks, 17 aircraft and 15 refueling helicopters They are carrying out operations in the area to contain the fire, which has spread for about 30 kilometers, the TV station reported. Skai.

After breaking out near the town of Varnava, about 40 kilometers north of Athens, the fire spread rapidly southwards during the night until it reached Located near the town of Penteli, about 15 km north of the capital and the edges of the urban fabric.

“The winds are very strong and the topography or vegetation is mainly Pine and holly, It burned very quickly,” the spokesman said.

One firefighter was taken to a nearby military hospital. Second degree burns on hands and feetwhile five citizens have been shifted to another hospital due to respiratory problems.

Authorities issued an order early Monday morning Eight towns evacuatedIt is just south of Mount Penteli, which joined more than 15 towns evacuated further north on Sunday.

Total estimated More than 35,000 people have been forced to leave their homesalthough this number is probably much higher, as many summer residences of Athenian citizens were also found in the area.

Two hospitals, one a children’s hospital and the other a military hospital, also had to be evacuated, as well as two monasteries. flame Several houses have been burned and the threat still looms in densely populated areas, while some town authorities have condemned the act. Lack of air and land means.

“The fire has spread to the first house and the flames are about five meters from the town. Air rescue and fire trucks are currently operating. We need ground reinforcement“He explained to PBS Radiation therapy Spyros Zagaris, president of the Gramatico town community.

According to local media reports, smoke from the fire has spread to the city of Kalamata on the Peloponnese Peninsula, about 200 kilometers southwest of Athens. Meteorologists expect temperatures to reach – Max. 36°C In the Attica capital region, strong winds will persist.



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