Wildfires Rage Across Greece Amid High Winds; Two Firefighters Killed
Greece is experiencing severe wildfires exacerbated by strong Meltemi winds, which have reached speeds of up to 100 km per hour in some areas. The fires broke out west of Athens and are part of a broader pattern affecting Southern Europe following similar incidents in France and Spain. Two firefighters were killed when two helicopters collided during firefighting operations near Western Attica on Sunday. As winds eased slightly, water-bombing aircraft resumed efforts to contain the flames. Firefighters continue battling blazes under difficult conditions with support from Hellenic Civil Protection personnel. The situation has been described as unprecedented and historic in parts of France and Spain, where a massive wildfire burned hundreds of thousands of acres. The ongoing wildfires have led to evacuations and significant disruption across Greece, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of such events due to climate-related factors.
Topics: emergency response Greece natural disasters wildfires