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Greek forests on fire. Evacuation of more villages

Photo:EPA

 

The World Daily | News Desk           MAY  20th   2021

 

Fires are spreading throughout Greece. 20 square kilometers of forests have already burned down. Smoke and air pollution can be felt in Athens, several dozen kilometers away.

 

The fire broke out on Wednesday evening in a small coastal town on the Gulf of Corinth, about 90 kilometers from the country's capital Athens.

The fire department announced that 80 fire engines with over 200 firefighters, 17 planes and one helicopter were deployed to fight the fire.

The fire has already consumed about 20 square kilometers of forests.

Initially, seven villages and two monasteries in the Geraneia Mountains were evacuated. Residents of four more villages received text messages from the authorities on Thursday advising them to leave their homes and move towards the city of Megara.

 

"They were asked to move away because the wind speed had increased to eight on the Beaufort scale," a fire official said. With such a degree, gusts accelerate to an average of 62-88 kilometers per hour.

No casualties have been recorded.

Firefighters said the fire had destroyed lots of trees and lush vegetation. Flames burn summer cottages and electric poles.

Smoke from the fires was felt in some neighbourhoods of Athens. The sky above this part of the country turned grey with smoke.

 

© The World Daily 2021 | News Desk

Source: Reuters

 

 

Categories:
Environment
Tags:
EuropeGreeceWildfiresNatural Disasters