In brief
A large wildfire has erupted in Keratea, southeast of Athens, resulting in the death of an elderly man whose body was discovered in his home. The fire ignited in the Manoutso area around 14:00 local time, quickly consuming dry vegetation and land. In the last 24 hours, Greece has experienced over 50 agricultural and forest fires, marking one of the most severe wildfire days this summer.
Fanned by winds ranging from 8 to 9 Beaufort, the fire's intensity has escalated, creating thick smoke and complicating firefighting efforts. Authorities sent emergency evacuation messages via the 112 civil protection service, guiding thousands of residents to safer ground. Police are assisting with evacuations, having already escorted at least ten individuals from their homes.So far, seven areas have been evacuated, including Synterina, Dimolaki, and the severely affected settlement of Ari. Flames have burned through fields and approached residential areas, with roads blocked off. Lavreotiki mayor Dimitris Loukas stated the blaze is "extremely difficult" to manage, spanning over seven kilometers and moving south towards Drosia, where it has entered a pine forest. Authorities warn that if not controlled soon, it could expand further.To combat the fire, around 190 firefighters, multiple ground teams, and aircraft have been deployed, alongside assistance from fire crews from the Czech Republic and Romania. Heavy machinery provided by army engineering units is being utilized for containment. In a troubling development, another significant wildfire has ignited in Helidoni, located in Ancient Olympia, western Greece. Fire officials are particularly concerned about the wind-carried embers igniting new fires, especially near high-voltage power lines. Evacuation messages were sent to residents in nearby areas, urging them to seek shelter in Pyrgos.Additionally, one individual trapped at the Helidoni football ground has been hospitalized due to severe burns. Around 80 firefighters, alongside local resources and aerial support, are actively combating the flames in the western regions of Greece. With the risk of flare-ups remaining high, officials have warned of potential new fire outbreaks, especially in Attica and Peloponnese regions.
