One person has tragically lost their life following a large-scale wildfire that erupted in Keratea, southeast of Athens. The blaze quickly expanded, leading to significant property damage and forcing emergency evacuations. Fire service officials discovered the body of an elderly man within his home in the Togani area, close to where the fire ignited. The wildfire started shortly after 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) on Friday in the Manoutso region, initially consuming dry grass and patches of land.
In the last 24 hours, Greece has experienced over 50 agricultural and forest fires, marking one of the most challenging days for wildfires this summer. The situation near Keratea has been worsened by strong winds reaching 8 Beaufort and even gusts of 9, causing the fire to expand rapidly. Thick smoke combined with these winds is complicating the firefighting efforts.
Emergency alerts dispatched by the 112 civil protection service prompted thousands of residents to evacuate. Police have been involved in the process, managing to evacuate at least 10 individuals who initially resisted leaving their homes. So far, seven areas have been evacuated, including Synterina, Dimolaki, Agiasma, and others, as the fire devastated the settlement of Ari.
Lavreotiki’s mayor, Dimitris Loukas, described the situation as "extremely difficult," stating that the blaze has stretched over seven kilometers. The fire continues to progress southward into a pine forest, with winds pushing it toward the Anavyssos area; officials warn that if not controlled soon, the situation could escalate further.
Currently, a dedicated team of 190 firefighters, supported by ground teams, vehicles, and aerial units, is working tirelessly to combat the flames. The effort has been bolstered by fire crews from the Czech Republic and Romania, as well as army engineering units providing heavy machinery for containment.
In a parallel development, another significant wildfire has ignited in Helidoni, within the Ancient Olympia municipality, further elevating concerns. Fire officials warn that winds are carrying embers that ignite new spot fires, with high-voltage power lines at risk of being affected. Evacuation messages have been sent to residents of nearby towns advising them to seek safety in Pyrgos.
A person previously trapped at the Helidoni football ground has been hospitalized with severe burns to their arms, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by those in the area. Authorities are on high alert as they battle multiple fires in places like Grammatikos, Lantzoi, Helidoni, and Irakleia. Given the circumstances, officials caution that the risk of further fire outbreaks remains severe, particularly across Attica, the Peloponnese, and western Greece.
