Hundreds of firefighters in Greece struggled to contain a wildfire overnight on the outskirts of Athens, a day after the charred bodies of at least 18 people were discovered in northeastern Greece where a blaze had been raging.

Tuesday’s fire broke out near the village of Fyli on the foothills of Mount Parnitha, about 25km (15 miles) north of Athens, and spread towards the town of Menidi.

About 150 people had to be evacuated from three nursing homes, according to a local official.

Homes and cars were left burning and residents fled on foot with their animals, towards safety.

In the Greek port city of Alexandroupolis near the capital, dozens of hospital patients, some on stretchers, others with IV drips attached to their hands, were evacuated onto a ferry.

Greek authorities have warned that new blazes could occur during the week as the country grapples with a heatwave.

In July, the country experienced a torrid month and thousands of tourists had to be evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes, where a wildfire raged for an entire week.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared that the Mediterranean nation was at war with wildfires raging across the country in July.

Source: Aljazeera


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