Thousands evacuated as wildfire spreads across communities in Greece

Thousands of people living around Athens, Greece have fled their homes on Monday, including the historic town of Marathon, as wildfires continue to wreak havoc across towns and villages surrounding Athens, prompting widespread evacuations.
Authorities have ordered more than five communities and hospitals northeast of Athens to leave after eight nearby villages, including Marathon, were told to evacuate yesterday, Sunday.
According to Marathon Mayor, Stergios Tsirkas, the city is facing a biblical catastrophe as at least half the country is under a red alert, the highest level of fire risk in Greece’s warning system.
In a massive effort to contain the wildfire, the fire department mobilized 670 firefighters, including 27 specialized wildfire teams and over 80 military personnel.
Despite these extensive measures, the fire remains a challenge, driven by the relentless summer heat that has gripped Greece with record-high temperatures.