09-08-2025
Firefighters battle blaze near Athens for second day
Hundreds of firefighters in Greece on Saturday battled for a second day to contain a large wildfire near Athens that killed one person, as strong winds raised fears it could spread further.
More than 260 firefighters, backed by nearly 80 fire engines and 12 aircraft, were deployed in Keratea, a rural area about 43 kilometers (27 miles) southeast of Athens, the fire department said.
Dozens of people were evacuated Friday from homes and an elderly care facility as flames approached the coastal resort of Palea Fokea. Firefighters later found the remains of an elderly man in a hut near Keratea.
Separately, gale-force winds on Friday caused the deaths of two Vietnamese tourists who fell into the sea at Sarakiniko beach on the island of Milos.
The coastguard said a 61-year-old woman had fallen into the water, and a 65-year-old man died trying to save her.
Winds of up to 74 kilometers (46 miles) an hour were forecast Saturday, with ferry travel disrupted for thousands of summer holidaymakers before a sailing ban at Athens ports was lifted.
