More than 20 dead in forest fires near Athens – Panorama

• There are two forest fires in the vicinity of the Greek capital, Athens.
• There are dead and dozens wounded.
• Thousands of Athenians have their apartments in the area. Thousands of people have fled the area. All the streets were clogged.
• Currently, temperatures in Greece are about 40 degrees. In addition, wind gusts of magnitude seven blow in the affected area.

The forest fires that started near Athens have cost up to now at least 20 lives. Government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said Tuesday night on Greek television. Both the Coast Guard and the Department of Health reported losses. And the number of victims of devastating fires could continue to increase: According to Tzanakopoulos, about 70 people are currently treated in hospitals. Many of them have suffered life-threatening burns and other injuries. Reporters from the Skai news channel reported that the bodies of two women and their children had been found in a house. "Women have hugged their children in despair to protect them from the flames," a station reporter said. The body of another infant was discovered. The fire department wanted to make a balance in the morning. The information on tourists among the victims was not available initially.

In the port city of Rafina, the flames penetrated into the city center. Thousands of people have fled the area. Hundreds escaped the flames in the sea. For hours, fishermen and passing ships took people out of the water. In the port of Rafina, desperate parents showed pictures of their loved ones and asked passers-by if they saw them

Burnout Houses, Charred Cars

The fires were so powerful that clouds were smoking on Athens and obscured the sun. In the metropolitan area of ​​the Greek capital, the state of emergency has been proclaimed. Thousands of Athenians have their apartments in the affected areas. Several mayors told the press that more than 200 homes and hundreds of cars were destroyed or damaged in East Athens

"The worst case scenario has happened," said on television. Head of Greek Civil Defense Giannis Kapakis. The flames were raging in a heavily forested area. Several camps for children had to be evacuated. Electricity, telephone and internet dropped in some areas. Due to the strong smoke formation, the highway and the railway line between Athens and Corinth were closed.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras prematurely interrupted a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and returned to Athens. "My thoughts are with people and forces," he told Greek TV channel ERT. He expressed the suspicion that the arsonists might be behind the fires. Tsipras has ordered that the fire departments of other regions and the military come to Athens to help, as reported by the state radio. In addition, Greece has asked for help from other EU countries, said a spokeswoman for the fire department.

Strong winds make it difficult to contain fire

At the present time, temperatures in Greece are about 40 degrees. In addition, gusts of magnitude seven are blowing in the affected area.

For firefighters, volunteers and the military, it is aggravating to have to fight the flames at night without the help of airplanes and helicopters. "It will be a long night," said a firefighter on television.