Athens fires: Charred body of woman found as flare-ups continue to threaten homes
As dawn broke, nine aircraft and helicopters resumed water-dropping operations in a desperate effort to control the multiple fire outbreaks scattered across the region, from Varnava to Nea Makri and Penteli. Despite these efforts, the situation remains critical, with significant flare-ups continuing to endanger lives and property. A major resurgence occurred just after 3 am in Nea Makri, prompting urgent evacuation alerts via the 112 emergency system.
Shortly after 5 am, another 112 alert was issued, instructing residents of the Erythros settlement to evacuate towards Rafina via Marathon Avenue. By 6 am, a new flare-up was reported in the Agios Ephraim settlement in Nea Makri, further complicating the firefighting efforts.
Satellite data from the European Sentinel-2 satellite, processed by meteo.gr and the National Observatory of Athens, has revealed the extensive damage caused by the wildfires. As of Monday, approximately 100,000 acres have been burned, with the fire front advancing rapidly into residential areas.
The fire, which ignited on Sunday afternoon in Varnavas, quickly spread to Mount Penteli, and by Monday had reached Patima Chalandriou and Patima Vrilission, where homes and businesses have been reduced to ashes. The relentless advance of the flames underscores the severity of the crisis, as firefighting crews continue to battle against both the main fire and the numerous flare-ups that threaten to widen the devastation.
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