Devastating photos show the impact of deadly wildfires in Athens

BY SHANNON CONNELLAN From Mashable

A man holds his son as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina, near Athens, on July 23.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Devastating photos give a small insight into the colossal impact of wildfires currently raging near Greece’s capital.

Forest fires burning near Athens have seen at least 50 people killed, and over 100 injured. According to the Associated Press, the two major fires have burned through pine forests east and west of the capital, with thousands of residents and tourists forced to flee.

Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on Monday, AP reports, after what’s been called the deadliest fire season to hit Greece in over a decade — in 2007, more than 60 people were killed due to fires in the southern Peloponnese region.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reportedly returned to Athens from Bosnia on Monday to meet with fire chiefs and government officials. Greece has also reportedly sought international assistance from the European Union. The Spanish government says it has sent two amphibious planes to help.

Forest fires are common in Greece during hot, dry summers, according to the news service, with temperatures in the country recently reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Strong winds have fanned the flames, which, since Monday, have raged through small seaside towns and villages like Rafina, Mati and Kineta.

More than 300 firefighters, five aircraft and two helicopters have been mobilised to tackle the “extremely difficult” situation due to those strong winds, Athens fire chief Achille Tzouvaras said in a press statement.

The fires have seen some trying to evacuate by fishing boats, navy vessels, and yachts, which has seen at least four people killed. Some major highways, like the National Road, have been closed or road-blocked.

It’s impossible to imagine this happening in your home town, but photographs of the villages, homes, and people affected will give you a fleeting insight into what people in Greece are going through right now.

People watch a wildfire in the town of Rafina, near Athens, on July 23.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill in Athens as smoke billows in the background during a wildfire in Kineta.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Flames rise as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina, near Athens.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A firefighter reacts as a house burns during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

More than 300 firefighters, five aircraft and two helicopters have been mobilised to tackle the flames.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Cars are blocked at the closed National Road during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A road block as a wildfire burns in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A fire fighting truck is seen amid smoke as a wildfire burns in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A house burns as a wildfire rages through the village of Mati, near Athens.
IMAGE: ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A house burns during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A firefighter seen trying to extinguish a fire coming from a building. A major fire broke in the Penteli area northeast of Athens.
IMAGE: GIORGOS ZACHOS/SOPA IMAGES/LIGHTROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES

A firefighter tries to extinguish hotspots during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A firefighter tries to extinguish hotspots during a wildfire in Kineta, near Athens.
IMAGE: VALERIE GACHE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

For more on this story go to: https://mashable.com/2018/07/24/athens-wildfires/#yIlJSPzDHSqt