Evros

The painful sight of Dadia forest in the Evros region in Greece has been destroyed by one of the largest wildfires in recent years in Europe. Experts worry over the ecosystem's survival.

The wildfire in Evros, in northeastern Greece, where firefighting efforts continue for the 17th consecutive day, is abating on Monday.

As reported by the public broadcaster ERT, there hasn't been an active front since late Sunday; nevertheless, over 93,000 hectares have been reduced to ashes.

The executive director of Greenpeace Greece, Nikos Charalambides, has commented on the ecological disaster caused by the massive fire in the Dadia forest in Evros, where crews were working for a 17th day to fully suppress the fire Monday, stating that it is premature to offer a "calm assessment" of the destruction.

On the 16th day of the wildfires in Evros, the primary wildfire front was located south of the village of Soufli, between Leukimis and Provatonas, according to Greek Fire Service spokesperson Ioannis Artopios. 

On Sunday morning he explained on the Greek state broadcaster ERT that the efforts are concentrated in the area south of Dadia forest. 

Two fire fronts in the region of Evros continue to rage in the area of Leptokarya, particularly at Meghalo Rema and Kotronia.

The change of the wind direction from northeastern to southern on Wednesday pushed the blaze to another direction that seemed uncontrollable.

Hundreds of Greek firefighters were battling a huge blaze on Monday that has killed at least 20 people over the past 10 days, Europe's deadliest wildfire so far this summer as record-setting heatwaves unleash blazes across the continent.

Hundreds of Greek firefighters battled a massive blaze on Monday that has killed at least 20 people in the past 10 days - Europe's deadliest forest fire so far this summer, Reuters reported.

More than 600 firefighters, including reinforcements from several European countries and backed by a fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters, were battling three major wildfires in Greece Sunday, two of which have been raging for days.

The fires in Greece are continuing. Last night, a new fire broke out - on the island of Samothrace.

The flames in the Greek part of the Rhodopes are heading towards Komotini at this hour, reports the Greek public television ERT. Several villages in the area are being evacuated.

According to preliminary estimates, the fire has burned 380,000 acres.

26 charred bodies were found in a burnt forest in the Evros region in northern Greece, the website In.gr reported. Found by the police in the Dadia National Park, they are believed to be illegal migrants.