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The EU goes to the aid of Greece in the fight against fires

2024-08-13 13:52:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

For the third day in a row, Greece is continuing its battle against massive fires near Athens, as hundreds of European firefighters are expected to join efforts to extinguish the deadly blaze that has engulfed large parts of the Greek capital's outskirts.

Due to strong winds, this year Greece is facing the most serious situation with fires, which have forced thousands of people to leave their homes and caused great destruction around Athens.

At least one person died and at least 66 others received medical help, while two firefighters were also injured during the fight against the fires.

"We are at a better level across the board," Costas Tsigkas, head of the Greek firefighters association, said on August 13.

"But again, the conditions will not be easy. There will be winds" and "every hour that passes will be more difficult", he told the state television, ERT. Meteorologists have predicted temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Athens and winds of up to 39 kilometers per hour.

About 700 firefighters, supported by 200 fire engines and nine aircraft, were on Tuesday involved in efforts to put out the fires that broke out on Sunday afternoon in the town of Varnavas, about 35 kilometers northeast of Athens, the fire service said.

Fueled by strong winds, the fires are 30 kilometers long and in some places, flames reach up to 25 meters, according to Greek state television.

Greece's National Observatory said on Monday that at least 10,000 hectares have been destroyed by the fires.

The Greek government appealed to other countries to help, and firefighters, helicopters, cars and other equipment from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia and Turkey are expected to go to Greece soon, authorities said.

In recent days, Greece has evacuated thousands of people from communities on the outskirts of Athens. The fire season during this summer in Greece has caused dozens of fires on a daily basis, as the country has recorded the hottest winter and the hottest June and July since it started collecting data in 1960./ Rel