Greece Area near Athens evacuated as wildfire moves 'like lightning'

Authorities are evacuating people from towns, villages and hospitals on the outskirts of Athens as firefighters battle to contain a massive blaze that is moving "like lightning", ripping through trees, homes and cars.

- Helena Smith

Propelled by gale-force winds, the wildfire tore towards residential areas of the Greek capital yesterday and left a trail of destruction behind it. Late in the day, despite the "superhuman" efforts of forest commandos and an army of volunteers to bring the fires under control, the inferno had reached the city's northern suburbs, threatening the premises of the national observatory on a hill in Penteli.

Residents, some wearing masks, could be seen with buckets, hoses and even olive branches desperately trying to douse flames as they encroached on homes.

In a statement, the observatory's meteorological service said the fastmoving blaze was "threatening important facilities, technologies and years of research efforts".

Greece's climate crisis and civil protection minister said firefighters were struggling in "dramatic conditions" that had been exacerbated by a prolonged drought.

The Mediterranean country has experienced an exceptionally hot and dry year. Yesterday it called for help in tackling the fire from other EU states, and assistance is expected from France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Romania.