One person has died in a massive wildfire incident in Keratea, located just southeast of Athens, exacerbating the ongoing disaster as flames destroy homes and prompt emergency evacuations. Local authorities confirmed the discovery of the elderly man's body inside his home in the Togani region, near the fire's origin. The blaze erupted shortly after 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) on Friday, initially consuming dry grass and vulnerable land.
Within a mere 24 hours, Greece has experienced over 50 separate agricultural and forest fires— a grim record for this summer’s fire season. Driven by strong winds, which reached up to 9 Beaufort, the Keratea fire rapidly escalated in intensity. Smoke and gusty conditions are complicating firefighting operations, and emergency messages have urged thousands of residents to evacuate affected neighborhoods.
Authorities have already evacuated seven areas including Synterina and Drosia, with police assisting those who initially resisted leaving their homes. Lavreotiki mayor Dimitris Loukas described the situation as "extremely difficult," as the fire has stretched over seven kilometers and is aggressively moving southward towards Drosia and a nearby pine forest.
A dedicated force of 190 firefighters, supported by multiple aircraft and heavy machinery, is battling the flames. Firefighters and support teams from countries like the Czech Republic and Romania have joined local efforts while army units provide essential equipment to aid containment.
A separate wildfire ignited later in the day in Helidoni, near Ancient Olympia, presenting additional challenges. Fire officials highlight the heightened risk from embers spread by the wind, igniting new blazes. Evacuation notices have been issued for residents in multiple additional areas, as more firefighting resources are deployed to prevent further destruction.
The current situation remains dire, especially for regions including Attica and the Peloponnese, as the possibility of new outbreaks continues to loom.
Within a mere 24 hours, Greece has experienced over 50 separate agricultural and forest fires— a grim record for this summer’s fire season. Driven by strong winds, which reached up to 9 Beaufort, the Keratea fire rapidly escalated in intensity. Smoke and gusty conditions are complicating firefighting operations, and emergency messages have urged thousands of residents to evacuate affected neighborhoods.
Authorities have already evacuated seven areas including Synterina and Drosia, with police assisting those who initially resisted leaving their homes. Lavreotiki mayor Dimitris Loukas described the situation as "extremely difficult," as the fire has stretched over seven kilometers and is aggressively moving southward towards Drosia and a nearby pine forest.
A dedicated force of 190 firefighters, supported by multiple aircraft and heavy machinery, is battling the flames. Firefighters and support teams from countries like the Czech Republic and Romania have joined local efforts while army units provide essential equipment to aid containment.
A separate wildfire ignited later in the day in Helidoni, near Ancient Olympia, presenting additional challenges. Fire officials highlight the heightened risk from embers spread by the wind, igniting new blazes. Evacuation notices have been issued for residents in multiple additional areas, as more firefighting resources are deployed to prevent further destruction.
The current situation remains dire, especially for regions including Attica and the Peloponnese, as the possibility of new outbreaks continues to loom.
