Greece braces for 41C heat as firefighters contain wildfire near Athens
Greece is preparing for the peak of a heat wave expected to push temperatures as high as 41C on Monday and Tuesday, with the hottest conditions forecast across the mainland and Crete.
The first temperature above 40C this year was recorded on Saturday in the northwestern town of Konitsa, where the mercury reached 40.4C. Temperatures also climbed above 39C in several other parts of the country.
According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the heat is expected to ease in northern Greece on Wednesday before cooler conditions spread nationwide on Thursday.
Wildfire on Salamis contained
Firefighters have brought a wildfire on Salamis Island, west of Athens, under control after it spread through a forested area close to residential neighbourhoods.
Authorities said a small flare-up occurred in the southern part of the fire zone but was quickly tackled by aerial firefighting aircraft. Fire crews remained on alert due to the risk of reignition.
Salamis Mayor Giorgos Panagopoulos said residents and holidaymakers from the Panorama A and Panorama B areas were evacuated as a precaution, with no injuries reported.
Firefighters tackle blaze in northern Greece
Meanwhile, emergency services continued battling a separate wildfire near Rodolivoi in the northern Serres region.
The Fire Department deployed 20 firefighters, eight fire engines and municipal water tankers to contain the blaze, which authorities said was burning away from homes and critical infrastructure. An arson investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
