Greece’s most severe wildfire of the year has eased near Athens due to weaker winds, slowing a blaze that killed one person and destroyed cars, buildings, fields, and forests. Hundreds of firefighters, supported by waterbombing aircraft, have been battling the fire since Sunday, as it spread from a forest into northern suburbs of Athens, causing panic in areas unaccustomed to such close fires.
The government has announced compensation and relief measures for the victims, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expected to chair a ministerial meeting. Despite some improvement, firefighters remain on high alert due to potential rekindling of the fire, with high winds forecasted to return later in the week. International assistance has arrived from France, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
Read more: Massive Wildfire with 25-meter Flames Burns Uncontrollably Near Greek Capital, Athens
The wildfire, which reached the Athens suburb of Vrilissia and resulted in one fatality, underscores the increasing danger of wildfires in Greece due to climate change, which has made summers hotter and drier. The summer has seen multiple wildfires across southern Europe, including in Spain and the Balkans. Residents returned to assess the damage, with some losing everything, while the government announced various support measures, facing criticism from opposition parties for not doing enough to prevent the disaster.
