Greece's Wildfire Crisis: Blazing Infernos Threaten Homes and Lives

Firefighters faced formidable challenges as they confronted a fierce blaze on Crete, Greece, that devastated forests and olive groves, forcing the evacuation of over 1,000 people.

The ongoing threat near Athens has brought to light Greece's heightened vulnerability to wildfires. Gale-force winds, combined with severe aridity, created tinderbox conditions that hampered efforts to control the blazes. As Europe endures an unusual early summer heatwave, linked to multiple fatalities, the wildfire risk intensifies across the region.

Additional conflagrations erupted in the Athens suburb of Pikermi, endangering homes and prompting further evacuations. With firefighters actively battling to contain the threats, local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as they brace for potential new fires driven by extreme conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)