Wildfires force thousands to flee seaside communities outside Athens

A man tries to extinguish the fire with a hose near Loutraki, 80km west of Athens, July 17, 2023. © Petros Giannakouris, AP

Wildfires outside Athens forced thousands to flee seaside resorts, closed highways and gutted vacation homes Monday, as high winds pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by days of extreme heat.  

Authorities issued evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities as two major wildfires edged closer to summer resort towns and gusts of wind hit 70 kph (45 mph).