Athens on fire: Greece’s worst blaze in decades forces mass evacuations, EU rushes to assist

Greece’s most devastating wildfire of the year engulfed the northern suburbs of Athens on Monday, forcing thousands to flee as it consumed homes, cars, and forests, shrouding the city in a thick veil of smoke and ash. As the fire continued to rage out of control, Greece called upon fellow European Union members for assistance, marking a critical escalation in what has become one of the worst blazes in decades. The flames, driven by gale-force winds, have pushed into the city’s heart, reaching the furthest depths of Athens in over 20 years.

EU assistance on the way

In a desperate bid to control the inferno, Greece has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, requesting immediate help from France, Italy, and the Czech Republic, with offers of support also coming from Spain and Turkey. “The situation remains extremely difficult,” stated Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a fire brigade spokesperson, who highlighted the continuous flare-ups and rapid spread of the fire, exacerbated by the strong winds. Over 700 firefighters, supported by volunteers, 199 fire engines, and 35 water-bombing aircraft, have been deployed to combat the flames that initially broke out near the village of Varnavas, 35 kilometres north of Athens, on Sunday.

Greece’s worst wildfire in decades ravages Athens suburbs, forcing mass evacuations and prompting EU assistance.

Athens under siege: Fire spreads to city outskirts

As the fire encroached on residential areas, including the hilly and wooded neighbourhood of Penteli, some residents bravely remained behind, using garden hoses and tree branches in a futile attempt to extinguish the advancing flames. Among them was Marina Kalogerakou, a 24-year-old resident, who expressed her sorrow and frustration, saying, “It hurts, we have grown up in the forest, we feel great sadness and anger.” The situation turned dire as flames reached the Vrilissia suburb, just 14 kilometres from the city centre, with thick smoke and a burning smell permeating the atmosphere of Athens.

Expert opinion: climate change exacerbating wildfires

Experts have pointed to climate change as a significant factor in the increased frequency and intensity of wildfires across Greece and the broader Mediterranean region. Summers in Greece have historically been marked by wildfires, but rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells have intensified these blazes. The country experienced its warmest winter on record this year and is now on course for its hottest summer, with little rainfall in the affected areas for months. This alarming trend has put Greece on high alert, with authorities warning that strong winds and temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) could worsen the situation.

Residents evacuated as Athens burns

The wildfire has forced evacuations in over 30 areas, including at least three hospitals, with power outages reported in parts of the greater Athens region. In the village of Rampentosa, 75-year-old Michalis Tsourtis recalled fleeing his home when he heard the flames approaching “with a roar.” Others, however, stayed behind, unwilling to abandon their homes. Sofia Giannopoulou, a 71-year-old resident, lamented, “Three, four policemen came to tell us to leave. We know that if we leave, no one will defend our house.”

Despite the scale of the destruction, no deaths have been reported so far. Thirteen people have been treated for smoke inhalation, while two firefighters suffered burns. Police have aided in evacuating more than 250 people, with many spending the night in shelters as authorities brace for further escalation.

Future outlook: A nation on edge

As Greece battles its worst wildfire in years, the country remains on high alert, with authorities calling for an emergency response involving the military, police, and volunteers. With strong winds and soaring temperatures expected to persist until Thursday, the threat of further devastation looms large over Athens and its surrounding areas.