Greek authorities have ordered the evacuation of Marathon, the historic town known as the birthplace of the Marathon race, due to a devastating wildfire. Residents of Marathon were instructed to move towards the nearby settlement of Nea Makri on Sunday. This evacuation comes after six other settlements in the area were also cleared.
The Athens Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA), located about 30 kilometers from Marathon and the main venue for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, was repurposed to accommodate many of the evacuees overnight, as reported by Greek national broadcaster ERT. Eight individuals were hospitalized with respiratory issues related to the smoke, according to the health ministry.
The wildfire, which ignited around 3 p.m. local time in Varnavas, approximately 35 kilometers from Athens, has rapidly spread due to hot, windy weather. Thick smoke has enveloped a large portion of Athens and has traveled up to 100 kilometers from the fire’s origin. Wind speeds have reached up to eight on the Beaufort scale, exacerbating the situation.
Approximately 400 firefighters, supported by 29 water-dropping airplanes and helicopters, 110 fire engines, military units, and numerous volunteers, are working tirelessly to control the blaze, according to a Fire Brigade spokesperson. Another significant wildfire, which broke out earlier in the day near Megara in western Attica, has been brought under control.
Local officials reported some damage to homes in both affected areas, primarily scorched forested regions. Over the past 24 hours, firefighting teams have responded to 40 wildfires across Greece. Authorities have warned that high temperatures could further increase the risk of wildfires, and people are advised to stay vigilant.
This summer, Greece has faced numerous wildfires, often linked to heatwaves and arson. While this year has seen two fatalities due to wildfires, the death toll from such incidents last year was 20.
