A new wildfire in Greece prompted evacuations in coastal areas south of Athens on Friday, as firefighters in neighbouring Turkey remained locked in a battle to contain flames tearing through forested hillsides in the west of the country.
The Greek wildfire broke out in scrubland near the town of Agios Dimitrious in Koropi, eastern Attica, on Friday afternoon. It prompted evacuations and a large-scale emergency response, according to firefighting officials.
75 firefighters, including five elite ground teams, were deployed alongside fire engines, volunteers, four helicopters and two aircraft. Municipal water trucks were also mobilised to support firefighting efforts.
Greece’s emergency alert system issued evacuation warnings to residents in the area early Friday afternoon, advising them to move from the area.
Firefighters in Turkey are also still battling fires, especially in the popular tourist region of Izmir in the east of the country.
The deadly wildfires have killed at least two people. This includes a forest worker who was trying to put out the fire as well as an 81-year-old man who reportedly died of smoke inhalation.
Most of the wildfires in Turkey are now under control following extreme heatwaves. However, the fires have damaged or destroyed around 200 homes and forced the evacuations of tens of thousands of people.
The risks of wildfires in the region remains high due to the ongoing heatwaves, drough and strong winds. While fires are common in the area, experts say climate change is exacerbating them.
