Greece has been dealing with a “nightmarish summer”, the country’s prime minister said as wildfires continue to ravage the country.
Thousands have been removed from their homes in parts of Greece and more than 1,000 firefighters have been deployed to bring the flames under control.
Fires began in Greek forests last week, and more than 56,000 hectares (140,000 acres) have been burnt in the last 10 days, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
Homes have also been destroyed alongside businesses and killing animals in the country’s worst heatwave in more than 30 years.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called it a "nightmarish summer", adding the government’s priority "has been, first and foremost, to protect human lives".
Dozens of wildfires have erupted in the last 24 hours with the largest fronts in Greece’s second-biggest island, Evia and areas in the Peloponnese including Arkadia and Olympia.
In Evia, more than 2,000 people have been evacuated via ferry.
A Coast Guard spokesperson told AP news agency that ten ships are waiting at Pefki, in the north of the island, ready to evacuate more people if needed.
On Saturday, a fire just north of Athens on Mount Parnitha spread smoke across the capital.
Authorities set up a hotline for people with breathing difficulties.
British teams have been sent to Greece to help tackle the wildfires.
Teams from Merseyside, Lancashire, South Wales, London and West Midlands fire were deployed to Athens this weekend following a request from Home Secretary Priti Patel who visited the country last week.
In a tweet, Ms Patel said: “We are sending a team of experienced firefighters to support Greek firefighters currently battling the huge blazes.
“When I visited my Greek counterparts earlier this week I saw the devastating effect the fires are having.
“The UK stands with you.”
