Firefighters from Greece were in a fierce battle on Thursday to bring two major fires under control that were raging near Olympia and on the island of Evia as the country swelters in a record-breaking heatwave.
Over 170 firefighters, about 50 trucks, six helicopters and water-bombing aircraft were deployed near the ancient archeological site which is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, on the Peloponnese peninsula.
According to local officials, after destroying around 20 houses, “the fire’s front is now heading towards Lalas”, a wooded mountainous area to the north west of Olympia.
Olympia, which is usually bustling with tourists this time of year, as well as six nearby villages, were evacuated the previous day.
A similar number of firefighters were also battling to contain a blaze on Evia, about 200 kilometers east of Athens with about 150 houses having been destroyed.
According to the Greece fire brigade, they have had to deal with 92 forest fires over the past 24 hours, on top of the 118 from the previous day.
Neighbouring Turkey is also suffering its worst fires in at least a decade, claiming the lives of eight people and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
Experts have warned that global warming is increasing both the frequency and intensity of such fires.
Sources: MSN
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