Photos: Greek firefighters battle major blazes on multiple fronts

1 of 13

Athens: Greek firefighters on Wednesday struggled to contain uncontrolled fires throughout the country for a fifth day, several of them bordering an acrid, smoke-filled Athens. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 13

A fire ripped through the foothills of Mount Parnitha, the largest forest adjoining the capital, and was threatening to spread to its national park. Evacuations were ordered on Wednesday morning for three more settlements in the suburb Menidi, including three nursing homes. Image Credit: AP

3 of 13

The blaze has reached the first houses in Menidi, which is also close to a military camp. Fires have already destroyed homes and properties in the nearby suburbs of Hasia and Fyli. A migrants detention centre in Amygdaleza, north of Athens, was also evacuated. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 13

The Greek capital woke up Wednesday to the smell of scorched earth and thick black smoke covering the sky. "Unfortunately, the wind does not help at all," Stathis Topalidis, deputy mayor of Menidi told state TV ERT. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 13

On Tuesday, authorities ordered the evacuation of Ano Liosia in northwest Athens - a district of over 25,000 people - even though several stayed at their houses to try and protect their properties. "Conditions remain difficult and in many cases extreme," fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios said in a televised address. Image Credit: AP

6 of 13

Another big blaze was still raging at a landfill in the industrial zone of Aspropyrgos, west of Athens. One neighbourhood was evacuated Wednesday morning. Flames continued to spread unchecked for a fifth day in the northeastern region of Evros, close to the Turkish border in Alexandroupolis and the Dadia forest, and home to rare birds of prey. More evacuations were ordered in the region overnight. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 13

Unfounded rumours and allegations have also been spreading rapidly on social media that blame migrants for responsibility for the outbreak of the fires. Greece's Supreme Court Prosecutor on Wednesday ordered the local prosecutor to investigate both the causes of the catastrophic fire and alleged claims of racism towards migrants. Image Credit: AP

8 of 13

Greek authorities on Tuesday arrested three individuals in northern Greece who had forced undocumented migrants into a cargo trailer, blaming them for being responsible for the fires. The individuals posted a video on social media urging more people to do the same. Image Credit: Reuters

9 of 13

Also on Tuesday, 18 people were found dead in a forest fire near the Turkish border, north of Alexandroupolis. Image Credit: AP

10 of 13

The dead included two children, a police official said. As no local residents had been reported missing "the possibility that they are people who entered our country illegally is under investigation," fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios said in a televised address. Image Credit: Reuters

11 of 13

Burnt trees in a forest area border the village of Palagia, north of Alexandroupolis, Greece. Image Credit: Bloomberg

12 of 13

A man evacuates horses during a wildfire in Chasia in the outskirts of Athens. Image Credit: AFP

13 of 13

A fire-fighting helicopter drops water over a wild fire near Prodromos, northeast from Athens. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Photos: Greek firefighters battle major blazes on multiple fronts

More From Photos

Pound vs Euro: UAE money transfers - time it right, save big in October

Lawyers say 'monster' late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed abused dozens of women

Mouse grounds SAS flight from Oslo to Malaga

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Photos: Greek firefighters battle major blazes on multiple fronts

More From Photos

Pound vs Euro: UAE money transfers - time it right, save big in October

Lawyers say 'monster' late Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed abused dozens of women

Mouse grounds SAS flight from Oslo to Malaga

Bank of England freezes rate after jumbo US cut

GULFNEWS SECTIONS