A large wildfire swept through the coastal towns Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Athens, destroying the houses and forcing the evacuation as the beach approaches the beach.
As Greece experienced the first heat wave of summer, flames erupted in low vegetation but spread rapidly to residential areas.
According to local officials, at least 20 houses were destroyed and many others suffered structural damage.
Strong winds and high temperatures up to 40°C make the fire extremely difficult to control.
Local residents, together with firefighters, Forest Rangers and planes, attempted to curb the fire and protect their homes. The Coast Guard is also deployed along the coastline.
Emergency alerts were issued through the 112 system, urging residents to evacuate a range of towns and villages.
Greece is trying to strengthen its response to wildfires, and they are becoming increasingly common due to its long, hot summer days and warm climates.
Officials said an additional 18,000 firefighters supported by volunteers were deployed this year.
Thousands of hectares were burned down earlier this week on Chios, the fifth largest island in Greece. A Georgian woman was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of unintentional cigarettes.
A resident in the thymus told Greek website Kathimerini on Thursday that when she arrived home, it was burning due to strong winds. Another said his neighbor’s house was destroyed, but he was even more lucky.
Going east along the coast along the Sunion Cape, at the tip of the Attica Peninsula, the fire crosses the coastal roads and moves towards the ridges of the nearby mountains.
Authorities said more than 1,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas. According to local authorities, 11 tourists were rescued from the beach after being captured by the advancing flames.
Despite the evacuation order, some residents refused to leave and tried to use garden hoses and other improvisations to defend their homes. Authorities warn that such actions are life-threatening and hinder emergency services.
According to the Greek state broadcaster ERT, at least 40 people, including children and elderly residents, were trapped and rescued by police after being trapped.
Firefighters fought fiercely on the ground and in the air, especially in areas where the fire burned near the house, said Vasileios Vathrakogiannis, a fire service spokesman.
Local officials in inland villages in West Mali described the situation as extremely difficult.
Local mayor Babis Galanis, local mayor, told ERT: “All the municipalities’ facilities are open to those in need of shelter or medical assistance.”
The head of the Greek fire department ordered a special arson investigation department on site to check whether the intentional shooting was taken.
Extremely high temperatures are expected on Friday, with wildfires at very high risk in Attica, Evia, Peloponnese and the northern Aegean Sea, according to a report by the Greek Risk Assessment Commission.
