STORY: Massive wildfire reaches Athens suburbs, 100,000 acres scorched
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 12, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:28
LOCATION: Athens
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of wildfire 
2. various of citizens using household water hoses
3. SOUNDBITE (Greek): THEODOROS PEROUTZIS, Penteli citizen
4. various of wildfire 
5. various of burnt houses in Vrilissia, northern suburb of Athens

STORYLINE:

For a second consecutive night on Monday, thousands of residents in northeastern suburbs of Athens and the wider Attica region have stayed awake, as a major and fast-moving wildfire threatened the capital.

Despite a large-scale firefighting effort involving over 700 firefighters, military personnel, volunteers, 35 water dropping aircraft and helicopters, the blaze, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, has spread rapidly and continued to rage on multiple fronts, a fire brigade spokesperson has said.

But the situation has improved by Monday night in several other areas, he added.

The wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon near the historic town of Marathon, the birthplace of the Marathon race, about 40 km northeast of downtown Athens.

By Monday evening, the fire has reached the capital's suburbs, scorching some 100,000 acres of forested land and farmland, according to initial estimates of the National Observatory of Athens.

SOUNDBITE (Greek): THEODOROS PEROUTZIS, Penteli citizen
"The atmosphere is what you see, stifling. I believe the fire department has now helped to improve the situation."

A total of 35 people, including three firefighters, were slightly injured, mostly from respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation, the Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, at least 30 emergency alerts have been issued for the evacuation of settlements, the spokesperson said. Evacuees were accommodated at hotels and sports facilities, including the Athens Olympic Athletic Center, the main venue of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Athens.
(XHTV)