Greece battles deadly wildfire for third day

Greek emergency services battled a massive wildfire threatening Athens for a third day on Tuesday as two firefighting planes and a helicopter sent by Türkiye joined efforts to fight the blazes.

The body of a Moldovan woman was found in a burned-out factory and at least 66 people have been treated for injuries since the fire broke out on Aug. 11, authorities said. Five firefighters have been hurt.

Fueled by strong winds, the wildfire raced across parched landscape northeast of the capital, destroying dozens of houses, cars and businesses in the 10,000 hectares of land it has devastated.

The Greek government appealed for assistance from other European nations. France, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania and Serbia, along with Türkiye, were sending hundreds of firefighters along with helicopters, fire engines and water tankers.

The fire has badly hit the suburbs of Nea Penteli, Palaia Penteli, Patima Halandriou and Vrilissia.

Halandri Mayor Simos Roussos told ERT state television that he had seen nearly a dozen homes destroyed by fire in his town. Numerous businesses, used car and coal yards and paint warehouses were also affected, he said.

"The fire traveled 50 kilometers and changed direction 10 times," Roussos said.

In nearby Penteli, a helicopter waterbombed huge balls of flame coming from a warehouse containing wood and what is believed to be propane tanks. Locals fled loud explosions, which sent items flying.

The Labor Ministry banned outdoor working in areas hit by the fires because so many burned factories contained toxic chemicals.

With much of the capital covered by acrid smoke for two straight days, scientists reported an alarming rise in hazardous airborne particles, particularly from Aug. 11 night...