Flames spread rapidly to populated areas
Events and photos.. A state of alert in Greece after forest fires reached the outskirts of Athens
A volunteer firefighter holds a water hose while fighting a fire in Varbobi.
Reuters
Weather conditions are not conducive to the speedy completion of extinguishing the flames.
Reuters
Plumes of smoke and flames rise in Varbopi, north of Athens.
Reuters
The fires continue to advance into the forests.
Reuters
Volunteers working to fight the fires.
Reuters
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Firefighters in Greece were unable to control a large fire that reached the northern outskirts of the capital, Athens, yesterday.
The fire has now reached the suburbs of Varbobi and Akarnes, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
In statements on state television, the mayor of Akarnes, Spyros Fritos, called on residents of the suburb to leave their homes immediately.
The civil defense authorities also warned the residents of Akarnis via text messages.
Residents of Athens saw thick clouds of smoke rising from the area.
Residents of the affected areas left their homes in panic.
"There is a hell behind us," a resident told reporters from his car at the scene of the fire.
The governor of the province, Giorgos Patulis, announced that the flames were spreading rapidly from the neighboring forests to the populated areas, and called on all residents to leave their homes immediately.
Meteorologists have warned for several days of the possibility of huge fires, at a time when the country is exposed to a hot weather wave that is expected to continue throughout the week, as the temperature will exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Elsewhere in the country, firefighters are battling a huge blaze on the island of Rhodes, as residents in many residential areas have had to flee their homes.
The authorities have warned citizens that the risks of fires are still very high even after the end of the hot weather wave, given the continuing drought in the country and the possibility of strong winds.
For several days, meteorologists have been warning of the possibility of huge fires, while the country is facing a hot weather wave that is expected to continue throughout the week, as the temperature will exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
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