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Residents Flee as Wildfire Rages Near Athens Amid Relentless Heatwave
Residents of Varnavas, a town north of Athens, were forced to flee their homes on Sunday as a massive wildfire swept through the area, fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures. Flames, some reaching up to 25 meters (80 feet) high, engulfed houses and properties, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The fire brigade reported that firefighters were working tirelessly to evacuate residents trapped by the flames. A convoy of 20 to 25 vehicles attempting to escape the inferno was also escorted to safety by emergency services.
Since Saturday afternoon, Greece has been battling 40 wildfires, with seven still raging out of control. The situation has been exacerbated by the country’s ongoing heatwave, which has brought record-breaking temperatures throughout June and July.
Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister, issued a dire warning about the continued threat posed by the extreme weather conditions. “We are facing a very dangerous situation. The combination of high temperatures and strong winds is creating an extremely volatile environment,” he said.
By Sunday evening, the wildfire in Varnavas had already scorched 100 square kilometers of land. Authorities issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in Varnavas and the nearby town of Grammatiko, urging them to leave immediately for their safety.
Fire Brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis emphasized the critical nature of the situation, noting that winds of up to 46 mph (8 Beaufort scale) were rapidly spreading the fire. “The fire is advancing toward Marathon Lake, and we are concentrating our efforts on controlling its flanks. In some areas, the flames are higher than 25 meters,” he said.
A formidable force of 165 firefighters, supported by nine ground teams, 30 vehicles, seven firefighting aircraft, and five helicopters, has been deployed to combat the blaze. However, the strong winds have severely hindered the effectiveness of aerial firefighting efforts.
As night fell, the battle against the fire showed no signs of abating, with firefighters expected to work through the night under challenging conditions. Medical centers and hospitals in Athens were placed on high alert, as parts of the capital were enveloped in a cloud of brown smoke, a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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