Major wildfire in Athens suburbs under control, leaving one dead

A major wildfire that erupted on Sunday and spread over 30 kilometers to reach the northeastern suburbs of Athens has been contained by early Tuesday morning, leaving one dead, 18 wounded and causing significant damages, according to local authorities.

An old woman who was working in a flower shop in a suburb lost her life in the flames. Her body was retrieved by firefighters early Tuesday, said Greece's Fire Brigade.

Burned motorcycles, cars and stands are now all that's left of the shop.

"The fire started just over the hill, it passed through here, caught the awning on fire, and spread inside the shop. We managed to get out in time, but the woman who was inside got trapped, and we lost her. We were looking for her, calling her phone, but she wasn't answering, and we got worried. We came here, searched for her, and found her inside, dead," said Kostas, the flower shop owner.

According to the latest update, firefighters were no longer battling a raging blaze but were trying to extinguish dispersed pockets of fire and tackle flare-ups.

Initial estimates suggest the blaze started on Sunday near Marathon town, the birthplace of the Marathon race, located some 40 kilometers northeast of central Athens. It destroyed everything in its path: forests, houses, and whole communities. It is believed that more than 100 houses and some 10,000 hectares of land have been lost to the fire.

According to the Civil Protection Ministry, the authorities responded five to ten minutes after the fire first broke out on Sunday, but the blaze still became uncontrollable, with some say the government is responsible for not preventing the situation.

"The government is criminally responsible for what has happened. Everything that has happened was predictable. Everything that has happened could have been avoided, could have been prevented, had they taken the measures which are imperative in such cases. They do not prioritize protection of the environment, civil protection in any way. This is a political choice. It's not an accident. It's not an innocent mistake. This is a crime," said Zoe Konstantopoulou, president of the Course to Freedom Political Party and former president of Greek Parliament.

The Greek government has announced measures to support those affected by providing tax relief and financial compensation for the next three years. The fires in most parts of the Greek capital now seem to be under control, with authorities remaining on alert. However, for residents of more than 11 towns and villages, a new battle to rebuild their communities begins.

Greece just experienced its hottest June and July on record. The country faces thousands of wildfires each summer, and climate change seems to be triggering more and larger blazes.

Three people have lost their lives in wildfires so far this year in the country. The death toll was 20 last year and over 100 in 2018 when a major wildfire swept through Mati, a seaside resort near Marathon.

Major wildfire in Athens suburbs under control, leaving one dead

Major wildfire in Athens suburbs under control, leaving one dead

Major wildfire in Athens suburbs under control, leaving one dead

Major wildfire in Athens suburbs under control, leaving one dead

A park director and a landscape architect in Sofia shared stories about how peonies have helped strengthen the cultural connection between China and Bulgaria.

In the fall of 2024, as China and Bulgaria marked 75 anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Heze City, known as the 'peony capital' of China, transplanted 280 peony plants to Sofia's South Park, the largest urban green space in the capital of Bulgaria, sharing this iconic Chinese cultural treasure with the Bulgarian public.

The park's Commemorative Peony Garden, created to celebrate 75 years of Sino-Bulgarian friendship, is now the new home to these Chinese flowers.

In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) at the garden, park director Milena Vaseva reflected how the idea for the garden was proposed and brought to life.

"The garden with Chinese peonies became possible thanks to the wonderful initiative of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and China, as well as thanks to the generous donation from Heze City, which provided 280 Chinese peonies specifically for our South Park," said Vaseva.

She also praised her Chinese colleagues who visited Sofia last year and collaborated with local staff to create the shared peony garden.

"What impressed me most in working with my colleagues from Heze was their professionalism and their excellent organization skills, their kindness, warm attitude, and generosity," said Vaseva.

For Vaseva, peonies serve as a cultural ambassador, symbolizing the blooming friendship between the two countries.

"The language of nature and beauty is universal. Creating a garden requires great care and dedication. So, we hope that through caring for this shared garden, it will become one of many reasons for continuing our fruitful cooperation. And, of course, for creating lasting and beautiful friendships between Heze and Sofia, as well as between Bulgaria and China, anyone who loves nature, beauty, and flowers is welcome here in May. We expect our park to be adorned with fragrant, beautiful peonies from China," she added.

Landscape architect Stavri Fotev also values the cultural ties fostered through flowers with the Chinese counterparts, and expressed hope that such connections will continue to grow in the future.

"We further enrich this area. Here, we have already planted herbaceous peony varieties, which are well-known in Bulgaria and have been used since ancient times. With the planting of the peony tree, which has also been used since ancient times in China, we are creating a connection between the Bulgarian peony on one side and the Chinese tree peony on the other side," he said.

"Thus, a continuous connection was established, which was very productive and beneficial between us and the Chinese specialists, and I believe that this fruitful cooperation will continue in the future," Fotev added.

Peonies bridge friendship between China, Bulgaria