Greece requests EU assistance as wildfires rage across country

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Greece on Saturday requested assistance from the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to combat multiple wildfires raging across the country, according to local broadcaster Mega Channel.

The request includes six water-dropping aircraft to help battle five to six major wildfire fronts burning simultaneously in various regions of the eastern Mediterranean nation. The EU mechanism has reportedly approved the request, Mega Channel reported.

The most concerning blaze erupted early Saturday afternoon near Kryoneri, a village north of Athens at the foothills of Mt. Parnitha. A firefighting force of 145 personnel, supported by 44 vehicles, as well as numerous volunteers and municipal water tankers, was deployed to the area. At least 17 firefighting aircraft operated until nightfall, according to Greek news outlet To Vima.

Wildfires were also reported earlier Saturday on the Aegean island of Kythira, in Messinia prefecture in the southern Peloponnese, in the central part of Evia Island, at the Temenia site in Chania prefecture on Crete, and later in the Molaous district of Laconia in southeastern Greece.

Authorities said the fire north of Athens appeared particularly threatening by dusk. The same area has experienced major wildfires in the past, most recently in August 2021.