Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City

Greece, venue of 'largest wildfire ever recorded in EU'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Aug 2023 16:56
3 Min Read

The EU has dispatched a total of 11 planes and one helicopter, as well as 407 firemen, to assist Greece in combating flames in the Dadia National Park.

  • x
  • Greece had 'largest wildfire ever recorded in EU' 
    A helicopter near the Fyli suburb in northwest Athens on August 25, 2023 (AP)

A forest fire in Greece is the "largest wildfire ever recorded in the EU," according to a European Commission official, and the EU is mobilizing nearly half of its firefighting air wing to combat it.

Greek firefighters are grappling with uncontrolled fires across the country, which the government blames on climate change. 

In the last week, forest fires have claimed the lives of nineteen people suspected to be migrants, including two children.

The EU dispatched a total of 11 planes and one helicopter, as well as 407 firemen, to assist Greece in combating flames in the Dadia National Park, north of the city of Alexandroupoli, according to spokesperson Balazs Ujvari.

According to Greece's fire department, "The fire is still out of control" as it raged for 10 kilometers inside the reserve, which is a key refuge for birds of prey.

To combat fires throughout the EU and its neighbors, the EU now relies on a fleet of 28 aircraft supplied by member countries (24 water-dumping planes and four helicopters).

Related News

Greece wildfires intensify as heatwave grips southern Europe

Georgian woman faces court after wildfire ravages Greek island Chios

It is developing a self-contained, EU-funded air wing of 12 aircraft that will be operational by 2030.

"We do know that fires are getting more severe," Ujvari remarked.
 
"If you look at the figures every year in the past years, we are seeing trends which are not necessarily favorable, and that calls for of course more capacities at the member states' level." 

The EU's commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarcic, stated that EU air deployment is committed to acting swiftly in times of crisis.

The fires have been relentless, with over 350 fires in the last week. The extreme conditions have tested the capabilities of firefighters, and authorities have evacuated various areas to ensure residents' safety.

Unfortunately, false rumors have circulated on social media, wrongly blaming migrants for starting the fires. The Greek Supreme Court Prosecutor has initiated an investigation into the fires' causes and claims of racism toward migrants.

It is worth noting that wildfires have also ravaged many countries across almost all continents, most notably in Canada, the US, Spain, and Algeria. Temperature records were set in different regions across the world, leaving behind a trail of wildfires and floods from the North down to the South. 

Scientists asserted that global warming, linked to fossil fuel dependence, contributes to the multiplication and intensification of heat waves. 

  • Greece
  • wildfires
  • Greece wildfire
  • Athens

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS