Greek authorities are battling a deadly wildfire that has claimed at least three lives and forced the evacuation of dozens of villages. The blaze, which broke out on Tuesday in the region of Attica, has been fuelled by strong winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Firefighting crews from across the country have been deployed, with assistance from Italy and France.
The Hellenic Fire Service has described the situation as the most severe of the summer season. The fire has destroyed thousands of hectares of forest and farmland, and residential areas on the outskirts of Athens have been threatened. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called an emergency cabinet meeting to coordinate the response.
The European Union has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism, providing additional resources. Questions have been raised about the adequacy of Greece's fire prevention measures, with officials citing a lack of aerial surveillance and ground patrols. The government has pledged to invest in new firefighting equipment and to accelerate reforestation efforts.
The fire comes amid a prolonged heatwave and drought, conditions that scientists say are increasingly likely due to climate change. The European Commission has warned that the southern European region faces a heightened risk of wildfires this summer. The blaze is not yet contained, and further evacuations may be necessary.
