Marathon, Greece

Investigators suspect a faulty power cable may have caused Greece's worst wildfire this year, said sources close to a probe over the blaze that killed one woman and torched 10,000 hectares near Athens, covering a total area about the size of Paris.

On-site inspections of ancient monuments in Dionyssos, Marathon and Penteli continued Wednesday by the Antiquities Ephorate of East Attica to assess possible fire damage.

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances under which the large fire in northeastern Attica began.

According to well-informed sources, the most likely scenario being considered is that the fire was caused by a short circuit in power lines in the Varnavas area.

An evacuation alert was sent Tuesday morning to residents of Erythros in Nea Makri.

The front in Erythros reignited at approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Residents were instructed to evacuate towards the port of Rafina through Marathonas Avenue. 

The largest wildfire to hit Greece this year raged for a second day on Monday, spreading to the suburbs of Athens, displacing hundreds of residents, burning cars, houses and trees in its wake and enveloping the city with smoke and ash.

A massive wildfire continued to rage unabated in residential areas in northern Athens, prompting more evacuations. 

Residents of northeastern Attica are living hours of agony as the fire that broke out at noon on Sunday (11/8) in Varnavas has reached uncontrollable proportions.

The Ministry of Labor has ordered the suspension of manual outdoor work for private sector employees in northeastern Attica until Tuesday due to the ongoing wildfires.

This includes activities such as construction, technical work and delivery services. Employers in the affected areas must ensure the safety of workers and comply with evacuation orders.

A massive wildfire raged out of control on the outskirts of Athens on Monday, spreading to several residential areas near the Greek capital and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Thick smoke covers the National Highway in Athens from a wildfire that broke out in a farmland and forest area in Varnavas, Attica region, Greece, 11 August 2024.

Türkiye has offered aid to Greece in its fight against the wildfires that broke out near Athens over the weekend.