Athens [Greece], August 13: EU member states are sending aid to Greece to help battle the massive wildfire burning across woodland north-east of Athens.
The assistance comes as the Greek government requests the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which helps EU countries respond to emergencies. The first helicopter from France is due to arrive Monday evening, according to media reports. Italy plans to send two fire-fighting aircraft by Tuesday and 75 firefighters with 25 vehicles are on their way from the Czech Republic.
A team from Moldova is already on site, while Turkey has also offered help and support from Spain is also expected.
The blaze reached the suburbs of Vrilissia and Penteli in the north-east of Athens in the afternoon. This was the first time that a major fire had come so close to the Greek capital, experts said on television. The blaze was still around 11 kilometres from Athens' city centre.
Emergency services in Greece were battling the country's biggest wildfire of the year on Monday, with multiple flash points burning across some 200 square kilometres of woodland north-east of the capital Athens. Thirteen people with respiratory problems were taken to hospitals due to the dense smoke, and homes in several villages were evacuated.
One firefighter suffered serious burns and another was slightly injured as the wind continued to blow strongly and spark new conflagrations. By midday, 40 new fires had broken out, according to the fire service.
Strong winds continued to fuel the flames along a nearly 30-kilometre-long fire front, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said. His authority deployed nearly 700 firefighters with around 200 fire trucks, along with hundreds of volunteers, 16 firefighting aeroplanes and 17 firefighting helicopters.
Gale-force winds and gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour were expected to continue until the evening, but the wind was expected to subside for the time being during the night.
Source: Qatar Tribune