(SQAUK) — In the early hours of Monday, August 12, 2024, unprecedentedly ferocious wildfires ravaged several towns and villages near Athens, Greece, compelling thousands to evacuate their homes. Greek authorities emphasized the rapidly worsening situation as powerful winds drove the flames toward the capital’s outskirts.
The fires that started on Sunday have already caused widespread destruction, reducing homes to ash and blanketing the region in thick, choking smoke. The blaze, driven by relentless winds and dry conditions, has spread alarmingly, putting numerous communities at risk. Emergency services, overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, have been working tirelessly to control the inferno, which now threatens the historic town of Marathon and nearby areas.
Evacuation orders have been issued for over a dozen areas, including several suburbs of Athens and Marathon, home to over 3,200 people. By Monday morning, hundreds of residents had been relocated to safer places, with many seeking refuge at the ancient site of Marathon. The fires have already claimed several lives, with dozens of people, including two firefighters, being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
The wildfire as seen from Nea Styra, Greece #φωτια pic.twitter.com/Tmda9LcdD3
— 𝕐patio Grigori (@YGrigori) August 11, 2024
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was on holiday, rushed back to Athens on Sunday to oversee the response efforts. Speaking to the media, Mitsotakis described the situation as a “national emergency” and vowed to use every resource available to combat the fires. “We are facing a catastrophe of biblical proportions,” he said, echoing the sentiments of local officials who have witnessed entire communities consumed by the advancing flames.
#BREAKING #GREECE #ATTICA #GRECIA
🔴 GREECE :📹 MASSIVE WILDFIRE IN THE EASTERN PART OF ATTICA REGION 💔
Fire is out of control although the massive efforts of firefighters.#Ultimahora #Wildfire #Fire #Incendio #Incendie #Αττική #Φωτιά pic.twitter.com/6b7eAaXwDm
— LW World News 🌍 (@LoveWorld_Peopl) August 11, 2024
Over 670 firefighters, supported by 152 vehicles, have been deployed to battle the flames, which have reached heights of over 80 feet in some areas. Additionally, 32 planes and helicopters have been conducting aerial water drops to contain the fires, although the strong winds have hampered their efforts. The Greek military has also been mobilized, with over 80 members of the armed forces assisting in the firefighting efforts by providing logistical support, securing evacuation routes, and helping to coordinate the overall response.
Varnavas (Attica), Grecia 🇬🇷🔥#Βαρνάβας #φωτιά #wildfire pic.twitter.com/gRsAVP1FEs
— Centinela35 (@Centinela_35) August 11, 2024
Despite efforts, the fire is still spreading, and new hotspots are appearing in the affected areas. Emergency services have reported that some residents who initially refused to evacuate their homes are trapped by the flames, leading to dangerous rescue operations. The Greek fire department has warned that conditions are expected to worsen in the coming days, and the fire is likely to spread further if the winds do not decrease.
A wildfire near Athens has forced the evacuation of at least 11 towns and villages, including the ancient town of Marathon and Mount Penteli. The fire, which started on Sunday, has also led to the evacuation of at least three hospitals.pic.twitter.com/Vb2YFPJooA
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 12, 2024
The wildfires also profoundly impacted Athens, with parts of the city enveloped in smoke and ash. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and several hospitals have been placed on high alert to handle an influx of patients suffering from respiratory issues. Power outages have been reported across the city, further complicating the situation for emergency responders.
❌ #Greece Authorities Order Evacuation of Homes, Hospitals near Athens as #Wildfire Rages
A massive fire is out of control in the northern parts of Attica, #Athens.
The wildfires are spreading despite “superhuman” efforts to combat the flames, the fire brigade said. pic.twitter.com/Kmf183sjQX
— 𝕏 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@cheguwera) August 12, 2024
The blaze has particularly threatened the village of Penteli, located just 10 miles northeast of Athens. The town, already scarred by past wildfires, is now at the epicenter of the current crisis. In response, authorities have evacuated two hospitals, a children’s home, and two monasteries. The situation in Penteli remains dire, with firefighters struggling to protect the village from the advancing flames.
Greece has been placed under a “red alert” for wildfire hazards, with meteorologists warning that the risk will remain high until Thursday. The country’s climate crisis minister, Vassilis Kikilias, stated that the current conditions—high winds, dry vegetation, and record-breaking heat—create a perfect wildfire storm. This summer has already seen Greece experience its hottest June and July, following a hot winter that left the region particularly vulnerable to wildfires.
The recent wildfires have brought back painful memories of past tragedies, like the 2018 Mati fire that claimed the lives of over 100 people. Local authorities are concerned that if the current fires are not contained soon, they could cause similar or even more devastating losses. The Greek government has asked the European Union for more help, specifically in the form of additional firefighting teams, aerial firefighting equipment, and financial aid for recovery efforts. Several neighboring countries have already sent firefighting teams and equipment to assist in the efforts, and further international support is crucial in this time of crisis.
As Greece grapples with an ongoing crisis, the focus remains on containing the fires before they cause further destruction. However, with the fires spreading “like lightning,” as one official described it, and the winds showing no sign of letting up, the outlook remains bleak. The extent of the damage will only become apparent once the flames are finally extinguished, but thousands of residents are concerned about whether they will have a home to return to.
This latest disaster highlights the growing threat of climate change, with extreme weather events becoming increasingly common worldwide. For Greece, the challenge is to control the current wildfires and prepare for an increasingly volatile future where such events may become the new normal.
