Large wildfire rages near Athens, forcing evacuations

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – A large wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon in the town of Keratea, some 29 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the Athens city center, continues to expand, forcing evacuations, local media reported.

Six areas in and near the town were already issued evacuation orders while the fire remains out of control, mostly owing to strong winds despite the best efforts of firefighting teams, supported by numerous aerial vehicles and volunteers, said public broadcaster ERT.

It added that the fire is active on more than one front and continues to expand.