Residents flee as Greece wildfires rage despite 'superhuman' efforts

Greece faces escalating wildfires despite superhuman efforts, with evacuations ordered as blazes spread near Athens.

“Greece ordered fresh evacuations near Athens on Monday (August 12, 2024) as wildfires spread despite “superhuman” efforts to contain the flames,” firefighters said.

At least five more communities were told to flee by civil protection authorities on Monday, after hundreds of people evacuated on August 11, 2024, from at least eight villages.

"Civil protection forces battled hard throughout the night, but despite superhuman efforts, the fire evolved rapidly," fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said.

"At this moment it has reached Mount Pentelicus and is headed in the direction of Penteli," he added.

The Mediterranean country is exceptionally vulnerable to summer blazes. After the warmest winter on record, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960, and the summer season has seen fires burn daily.

Temperatures are forecast to peak at 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) in Greece on August 11, 2024, with wind gusts of up to 50 km (31 miles) per hour.

“Two hospitals in Penteli — one for children and a military facility — were evacuated at dawn,” Mr. Vathrakogiannis said.