Dirfys

Over 40,000 hectares were destroyed in wildfires the three days from August 19 to 21, according to a report by the National Observatory of Athens.

As authorities assess the damage wrought by the heavy rainstorms and floods a few days ago in parts of central and northern Greece, a state of emergency has been declared for the municipalities on the island of Evia and in the regional unit Thessaloniki that were hardest hit. 

A monastery was evacuated and the residents of three villages were told to be ready to leave after a big fire broke out in a forested area of central Evia early Tuesday morning.

Police on the island of Evia on Tuesday announced the arrest of a 59-year-old man who was found in possession of objects that he had allegedly removed from an ancient grave.
A police statement said that officers made the arrest on Monday in the municipality of Dirfys-Messapia.