Greek authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents in the historic town of Marathon in the northeastern Attica region on Sunday due to a fast-moving wildfire outside Athens fueled by hot and windy weather.
Residents of Marathon -- the birthplace of the Marathon race -- were asked to move towards the neighboring beach town of Nea Makri, according to the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, following the evacuation of six settlements in the area.
Facilities of the Athens Olympic Athletic Center -- the main venue of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, approximately 30 kilometers from Marathon -- were opened to host many of the evacuees overnight, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.
Eight people were transferred to hospitals, mainly for respiratory problems, according to the latest information provided by health ministry officials.
Meanwhile, firefighters were trying to contain the front which extends several kilometers in the northeastern Attica region, according to the fire brigade.
A China Global Television Network (CGTN) correspondent on Monday morning reached a station about five to six hundred meters away from one of the fire fronts, where helicopters were retrieving water to help extinguish the flames from above.
The correspondent reported that firefighters and volunteers were battling against the wildfire but faced immense challenges due to the extent of the fire and because winds continued to pick up.
The fire broke out around 15:00 local time (1200 GMT) on Sunday in Varnavas, around 35 kilometers from Athens. It spread quickly, fueled by hot and windy weather, and thick plumes of smoke from the blaze have covered a large part of Athens.
Smoke has also reached as far as about 100 kilometers from Varnavas, a settlement near Marathon, due to strong winds, which reached up to eight on the Beaufort scale, according to Greek meteorologists.
Approximately 400 firefighters supported by 29 water-dropping airplanes and helicopters, 110 fire engines, military squads and many volunteers have been working to contain the front, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a press briefing in Athens.
According to Vathrakogiannis, the blazes continue to spread between residences, expanding "like lightning" due to gale-force winds. Flames as high as 25 meters have swallowed up trees and shrubland.
Authorities have advised residents in surrounding regions to remain on alert as high temperatures may increase fire risk.
Following a winter that was the warmest on record and a period of prolonged drought, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July and is forecast to record its hottest-ever summer.
Greece experiences numerous wildfires each summer in connection to heatwaves and arson. This year, two people have lost their lives in wildfires, while 20 were reported dead last year.
Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece
Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece
