5 minutes agoEU helps Greece fight fires
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)For the third day in a row, Greece is continuing its battle against mass fires near Athens, while hundreds of European firefighters are expected to join efforts to extinguish the deadly fire that has affected large parts in the Greek capital's suburbs. Due to powerful winds, Greece this year is facing its most [...] situation.
For the third day in a row, Greece is continuing its battle against mass fires near Athens, while hundreds of European firefighters are expected to join efforts to extinguish the deadly fire that has affected large parts in the Greek capital's suburbs.
Due to powerful winds, Greece this year is facing the most serious fire situation, which has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and have caused major destruction around Athens.
At least one person has died and at least 66 others have accepted medical assistance, while two firefighters have also been injured during the war with fires.
“We are at the best level throughout front”, said Costas Tsigkas, head of the Greek Fire Association on 13 August.
But again, conditions will not be easy. There will be winds” and “Every hour that passes will be the hardest”, he told state television, ERT.
Meteorologists have projected temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius in Athens on Tuesday and winds that will reach up to 39 km per hour.
Close to 700 firefighters, supported by 200 fire extinguishers and nine planes on Tuesday, were involved in efforts to extinguish fires that broke out Sunday afternoon in the town of Varnavas, about 35km northeast of Athens, the fire service said.
Strengthened by powerful winds, fires are at a length of 30 miles [30 km], and in some places, flames reach up to 25m, according to Greek state television.
Greece's National Observatory said on Monday that at least 10,000 hectares were destroyed by fires.
The Greek government called on other states to help it and firefighters, helicopters, cars and other equipment from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia and Turkey are expected to move to Greece soon, authorities said.
In recent days, Greece has evacuated thousands of people from communities on the outskirts of Athens. The fire season during this summer in Greece has caused dozens of fires on daily grounds, while the state recorded the hottest winter and June and the hottest July since it started collecting data in 1960. / REL
