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
IRGC sources tell Al Mayadeen that reports of Iranian missile strikes on northern Iraq are false, calling them rumors spread by enemy-linked media.
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands
Sheikh Qassem: The agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land

Wildfire near Athens forces evacuation of seaside resorts

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Jul 2023 20:22
3 Min Read

Authorities order the evacuation of a nearby residential neighborhood with seafront properties due to the wildfire burning close to Athens, Greece.

  • x
  • Wildfire near Athens forces evacuation of seaside resorts (AFP)
    A wildfire, near Athens, being fought (AFP)

On Monday, firefighters reported a wildfire near Athens as a heatwave swept the nation. As a precaution, numerous seaside resorts were forced to close.

Kouvaras, which is located around 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Athens, is where the fire first started. Yannis Artopios, a spokesperson for the firefighters, stated, "It's a difficult fire, the winds are really strong" with gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour.

According to Loutraki's mayor, Greek officials on Monday evacuated 1,200 kids from summer camps that were in danger from flames raging nearby.

Greece has been experiencing a heatwave since last week, along with Italy and Spain, with central Greece experiencing temperatures as high as 44°C (111F).

According to local media, two fronts of firefighting included seven water-bombing aircraft, four helicopters, 150 local firefighters, and 30 Romanian colleagues.

The fire spread south toward the Attica region and the resorts of Lagonissi, Anavyssos, and Saronida.

Traffic on the highways surrounding Kalyvia was obstructed by dense smoke.

Residents were warned to flee the area by the authorities, and monks from a nearby monastery were also evacuated.

Strong winds caused a forest fire to spring out nearby the Isthmus of Corinth, close to the well-known beach village of Loutraki, according to the Greek press agency ANA, which added that precautionary evacuations were also ordered there.

The Acropolis, one of Greece's biggest tourist destinations, was closed during the hottest hours for three days straight starting on Saturday in Athens, where the temperature reached 39°C.

Greece's temperatures are expected to dip by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius by Wednesday, and a fresh heat wave with local highs of 43 degrees will start on Thursday, according to the EMY national weather agency.

"We are in the middle of the period of fighting fires and the conditions expected will be particularly difficult and favor forest fires," said Artopios.

Read next: Burning planet: Record heatwaves sweep the world, demand urgent action

It is worth noting that this has not been the first time. Last year, a wildfire ravaged the southern suburbs of Athens, in June. Residents in the area were also forced to evacuate as the hurricane damages property and infrastructure. When the winds receded, the intensity of the wildfire also did, according to the Greek fire brigade.

In another summer as well, Greece saw some of its most pressing heatwaves in decades. Authorities blamed the condition on climate change, as fires grazed 100,000 hectares of forest and farmland - the worst wildfire damage since 2007.

Scientists believed that wildfires will represent a higher socioeconomic danger in the coming years as they continue to burn agricultural regions and harm people.

A study used machine learning to model where wildfires are likely to strike in coming years, as well as their impact on humanity.

  • Wildfire
  • Greece
  • Athens

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
National Guard are seen after reports of two National Guard soldiers shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Politics

NG shooting suspect belonged to CIA 'Zero Units' in Afghanistan

This satellite image taken by Airbus DS shows objects on the ground at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan (AP)
Politics

Inside the RSF’s brutal campaign against El Fasher’s healthcare

Lebanon urges UN action as 'Israel' builds new walls inside its border
Politics

Lebanon files UN complaint over Israeli concrete walls inside border

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation
Politics

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation

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