News / News Bulletin

Greece: At least one dead, villages evacuated as wildfire rages

Tuesday, 22 August 2023 2:52 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 22 August 2023 2:52 AM ]

A bulldozer operates as a wildfire burns near the village of Avantas in the region of Evros, Greece, August 21, 2023. (Reuters photo)

Wildfires fanned by gale-force winds in Greece killed one person in the northeastern region of Evros as authorities warned most regions faced a high risk of new blazes.

A total of 64 wildfires erupted across Greece in the last 24 hours with authorities ordering the evacuation of several communities in the Evros region, near the border with Turkey.

The body of a man was found in a rural area on Monday evening near the port city of Alexandroupolis in Evros, a local police official told Reuters.

The massive fire has been spreading for three days, with fire crews, the military and volunteers struggling to bring it under control.

The local fire brigade reported that 200 firefighters and 17 aircraft had been deployed in total, with 13 villages evacuated. Residents of the city itself have been told to keep their windows closed.

Wildfires are common across Greece during the summer, although recent hot, dry weather has provided ideal conditions for them to spread. Last month, 20,000 tourists were evacuated from Rhodes, following fires on the popular tourist island.

(Source: Agencies)

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