SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The City of Marathon Evacuated – Large Fire Rages

Inhabitants of the historic city of Marathon in Greece are being evacuated due to a large forest fire raging in the area, the rescue service reports. The fire has put parts of the capital city Athens under a smoke cloud.

» Published: August 11 2024

The City of Marathon Evacuated – Large Fire Rages
Photo: Michael Varaklas/AP/TT

First, the most sparsely populated town of Varnáva, three miles northeast of Athens, was evacuated, where a large fire is raging. Later in the evening, the rescue service announced that the city of Marathon and some suburbs of Athens would also be evacuated.

Over 30,000 residents have been ordered to leave Marathon and head towards the coastal town of Néa Mákri.

The smoke development from the fire was so intense that in parts of Athens, the sky was covered in reddish smoke. Flames 25 meters high were reported from the fire area.

Winds hinder

Strong gusty winds are hindering the firefighting efforts, according to Kostas Lagouvardos, head of the National Observatory in Athens. At the same time, temperatures of 39 degrees are expected on Monday.

The fire is moving quickly towards a lake that is an important water reservoir for Athens. An unknown number of houses have burned down, said Vassileios Vathrakogiannis, spokesperson for the rescue service, in the evening.

Over 250 firefighters, 67 vehicles, 12 firefighting planes, and six helicopters are fighting the fire in Varnáva. The military is on standby to intervene.

A fire that started in the afternoon in the historic city of Megara, about four miles northwest of Athens, has been partially extinguished.

Burning in several places

During the past 24 hours, the rescue service has managed to extinguish 33 out of 40 fires, according to Vathrakogiannis.

The fire risk is extremely high in half of Greece due to drought and strong gusty winds, announced Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Saturday.

Greece has had the hottest summer in a long time. Both June and July saw record-breaking heat.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

South Africa's Ambassador Expelled from the USA

South Africa's Ambassador Expelled from the USA

The Senate Approves Budget – Prevents Shutdown

The Senate Approves Budget – Prevents Shutdown

Captain suspected of causing another person's death

Captain suspected of causing another person's death

Universities in the USA investigated for racism against whites

Universities in the USA investigated for racism against whites

British Man in Kenya Killed by President's Motorcade

British Man in Kenya Killed by President's Motorcade

Greenlandic party leaders on Trump: "Unacceptable"

Greenlandic party leaders on Trump: "Unacceptable"

UN: Russia has committed crimes against humanity

UN: Russia has committed crimes against humanity

Carney new Prime Minister in Canada

Carney new Prime Minister in Canada

G7 warns Russia – may introduce new sanctions

G7 warns Russia – may introduce new sanctions

Iraq: High-ranking IS leader killed

Iraq: High-ranking IS leader killed

Source: UN agency lays off every fifth employee

Source: UN agency lays off every fifth employee

Teenager sentenced to terror - became a Nazi online

Teenager sentenced to terror - became a Nazi online

New Attack in Bombarded Key City in Sudan

New Attack in Bombarded Key City in Sudan

German parties united – billion investment secured

German parties united – billion investment secured

Hamas: Release the Israeli-American Hostages

Hamas: Release the Israeli-American Hostages

Child dies after rape – protests in Bangladesh

Child dies after rape – protests in Bangladesh

Duterte in court in The Hague via video link

Duterte in court in The Hague via video link

Over 30 dead in cholera outbreak in Ethiopia

Over 30 dead in cholera outbreak in Ethiopia

Internal conflicts threaten the Tigray peace agreement

Internal conflicts threaten the Tigray peace agreement

Measles in Mexico – linked to outbreak in the USA

Measles in Mexico – linked to outbreak in the USA

EU sanctions extended - also against notorious oligarch

EU sanctions extended - also against notorious oligarch

Trump may cause Portugal to skip US planes

Trump may cause Portugal to skip US planes

The Alarm: One Million Myanmar Nationals Will Go Without Emergency Aid

The Alarm: One Million Myanmar Nationals Will Go Without Emergency Aid

Task: Wants to Move the People of Gaza to East Africa

Task: Wants to Move the People of Gaza to East Africa

Trump urges Putin: Spare Ukrainian lives

Trump urges Putin: Spare Ukrainian lives

Iran in China for urgent nuclear deal meeting

Iran in China for urgent nuclear deal meeting

Protested against Israel – may be deported by Trump

Protested against Israel – may be deported by Trump

Democrat leader wants to avoid shutdown in the USA

Democrat leader wants to avoid shutdown in the USA

Australia furious with American who stole wombat

Australia furious with American who stole wombat

Zelensky: Very difficult situation in Kursk

Zelensky: Very difficult situation in Kursk

Trump hopes for Supreme Court to revoke birthright citizenship

Trump hopes for Supreme Court to revoke birthright citizenship

UNICEF: 16 million children in Sudan need help

UNICEF: 16 million children in Sudan need help

Duterte to face ICC on Friday

Duterte to face ICC on Friday

Peace Agreement Near in the Caucasus

Peace Agreement Near in the Caucasus

Portugal announces new elections

Portugal announces new elections

American Judge: Rehired After Being Fired

American Judge: Rehired After Being Fired

Greenland responds sharply to new Trump game

Greenland responds sharply to new Trump game

Expert on Putin's statement: Dictates terms

Expert on Putin's statement: Dictates terms

Trump talks about everything except NATO during Rutte's visit

Trump talks about everything except NATO during Rutte's visit

Demonstrators occupied Trump Tower's lobby

Demonstrators occupied Trump Tower's lobby