A tragic wildfire that erupted in Keratea, southeast of Athens, has claimed the life of one individual, as the inferno rapidly spread, devastating homes and forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders. The local fire service confirmed that the remains of an elderly man were discovered inside his residence in the Togani area, near the fire’s origin.
The fire ignited shortly after 14:00 local time (12:00 BST) on Friday in the Manoutso region, swiftly consuming dry grass and adjacent plots. As of the past 24 hours, Greece has faced an alarming surge in wildfires, with over 50 agricultural and forest blazes reported—marking one of the most severe days for wildfires this summer.
Firefighting efforts hindered by strong winds
Significant winds, reaching up to 8 Beaufort with gusts of 9, have exacerbated the situation, enabling the fire near Keratea to grow rapidly in size and ferocity. Thick smoke and powerful gusts are making firefighting efforts exceptionally challenging. Emergency alerts from the 112 civil protection service have been dispatched in rapid succession, urging thousands of residents to evacuate the impacted regions.
Police are actively assisting with evacuations, having already rescued at least 10 individuals who resisted leaving their properties. So far, seven areas have undergone evacuation, including Synterina, Dimolaki, Maliasteka, Agiasma, Charvalo, Drosia, and the severely affected settlement of Ari, which has seen flames sweep through from one end to the other. Roads have become impassable as the inferno extended across fields and encroached upon residential neighborhoods.
Lavreotiki mayor Dimitris Loukas described the blaze as “extremely difficult” to control, noting that it now spans over seven kilometers.
Evacuations are currently underway for all residents in the affected localities. The fire has progressed southward from Manoutso towards Drosia, advancing into a pine forest, with winds now pushing it toward the Anavyssos area. Authorities caution that if the fire is not contained promptly, it could escalate further.
A dedicated force of 190 firefighters, seven ground teams, and 44 vehicles, along with the mobile operations center named “Olympus,” are engaged in combating the flames. They are supported by 11 aircraft and seven helicopters, with tankers and heavy machinery dispatched from the Attica region. Additionally, fire crews from the Czech Republic and Romania have joined the firefighting efforts, while army engineering units are providing heavy machinery to aid in containment.
Additional fires break out in western Greece
Later in the day, another significant wildfire ignited in Helidoni, located in the municipality of Ancient Olympia in western Greece. Fire officials have indicated that the most substantial threat arises from embers carried by the wind, igniting multiple spot fires. High-voltage power lines traverse the area, compelling crews to work urgently to prevent the flames from reaching these critical infrastructure points.
Evacuation alerts were also issued via the 112 civil protection service for residents of Grammatikos, Lantzoi, Agios Georgios Lantzoïou, Pournari, and Irakleia in the regional unit of Ilia, advising them to relocate towards the town of Pyrgos. Fire crews are actively combating flames in Grammatikos, Lantzoi, Helidoni, and Irakleia, as strong winds threaten to bring the fire dangerously close to Pelopio and the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia.
In a concerning development, an individual trapped at the Helidoni football ground has been taken to a hospital with severe burns on their arms. Approximately 80 firefighters, three ground teams, and 25 vehicles are currently on site, with six aircraft and three helicopters providing aerial support.
Authorities have issued warnings regarding the heightened risk of further wildfires, especially in Attica, the Peloponnese, and western Greece.