Wildfires Ravage Greek Landscapes Amid Scorching Heatwave

A destructive forest fire erupted near the Greek city of Corinth on Tuesday, spurring authorities to evacuate several villages.

Over 180 firefighters, supported by 15 planes and 12 helicopters, were engaged in combating the blaze within a pine forest in Corinth's mountainous region. The fire department reported no casualties thus far.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by challenging weather, with a persistent heatwave pushing temperatures to 40 degrees Celsius across much of Greece.

Earlier in the day, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the sea while tackling another fire near Athens, but all three crew members were safely rescued and hospitalized.

Greece's hot, dry summers often lead to wildfires, with the fire department addressing numerous incidents this year. Notably, a devastating 2018 blaze in Mati, near Athens, resulted in over 100 deaths, underscoring the lethal nature of these fires.

(With inputs from agencies.)