Italy, France, Romania and the Czech Republic will send firefighters to Greece to tackle a massive fire on the outskirts of the capital at the request of Athens, the European Union (EU) said on Monday.
“The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated at the request of the Greek authorities,” the community’s spokesman, Balazs Ujvari, said in a statement, adding that the four countries would send reinforcements.
Greece this Monday asked other European countries for help in extinguishing a huge fire that broke out on Sunday on the outskirts of Athens and which has already affected parts of the city life in the north of the capital, continuing to spread quickly and unchecked.
Greece’s climate crisis and civil protection minister said firefighters were battling in “dramatic conditions.” “This is an extremely dangerous fire that we have been fighting for more than 20 hours in difficult conditions due to very strong winds,” Vasilis Kikilias said.
Fire threatens national observatory facilities on Penteli hill.
More than 670 firefighters, supported by 17 bomber aircraft, 15 helicopters and trucks, are trying to control the blaze, with forces “constantly being replenished”.
According to GuardianAt least 25 areas in the hard-hit region of Attica, including the ancient city of Marathon, were forced to evacuate their residents.
Marathon Mayor Stergios Tsirkas said the city was facing a “biblical catastrophe.” “Our entire city is in flames and going through difficult times,” he explained.
Author: Lusa And Morning mail
Source: CM Jornal
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