MK sport Greece, on Aug. 12, 2024. （Photo: Xinhua)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-08-13/cd8a1286-b04d-4526-bdac-abf870404eb3.jpeg" />

A firefighting helicopter drops water on a wildfire in Dione near Athens, Greece, on Aug. 12, 2024. （Photo: Xinhua)

 

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Attica, Greece, on Aug. 12, 2024. （Photo: Xinhua)

 

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Attica, Greece, on Aug. 12, 2024. （Photo: Xinhua)

 

Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Attica, Greece, on Aug. 12, 2024. （Photo: Xinhua)

 
A large wildfire reached a dozen suburbs of the Greek capital Athens on Monday, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people.

The fire that broke out on Sunday near the town of Marathon, the birthplace of the long-distance race, about 40 km northeast of Athens, has now spread over 30 km.

Nearly two dozen settlements have been evacuated since Sunday along the path of the blaze, according to local authorities. Sports centers, including the Athens Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA), and hotels have been used to accommodate residents.

Fifteen people have been injured in the fire, with most having respiratory problems, a Fire Brigade spokesperson told a press briefing.

Three hospitals in northern suburbs of Athens were also evacuated, with power cuts reported in affected areas.

A total of 685 firefighters, backed by 29 fire-fighting airplanes and helicopters, 190 fire engines, military personnel and volunteers are battling the blaze, the Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

However, firefighting efforts have been hampered by the strong winds up to eight blowing across the Attica region that are changing direction, he added.

"The conditions are extremely difficult due to the strong winds, extended drought and the very rough and inaccessible terrain in dense forested zones," Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias said.

Greece's authorities announced that all scheduled arrivals and departures of passenger ships to and from the port of Rafina, located on the eastern coast of Attica, would be redirected to the port of Lavrio "to ensure passenger safety and facilitate the firefighting efforts in the area."

The smoke from the wildfire has spread to some 300 km south of the Attica region, according to Greek scientists.

The extent of material damage to residencies, other properties, and forested areas and farmland remains unclear.

The wildfire is one of the most challenging Greek authorities have faced so far this season. Greek firefighters are called to tackle dozens of wildfires across the country each day, with 40 on Sunday and 40 on Monday, the Fire Brigade spokesperson said.

In response to Greece's request, the European Union (EU) civil protection mechanism was activated and firefighter units from Italy, France, the Czech Republic and Romania were sent to combat the wildfire burning through Athens suburbs, the EU announced on Monday.

Greece experiences many wildfires each summer, due to heatwaves linked to climate change, as well as arson. This year two people have lost their lives in wildfires, while 20 died last year. In 2018 over 100 people died in a wildfire, which swept through the seaside resort of Mati.