Two dead and hundreds evacuated as wildfires break out near Athens

Live updates

1. 29d ago

   Wildfires rage near Athens and in Belgium

   Two people have died and hundreds have been evacuated as wildfires break out near Athens, Greece, and a large fire is burning in a nature reserve in Belgium, near the German border. Firefighters are battling the blazes, with aircraft deployed to assist. The fires have prompted evacuations and are a concern for nearby communities.

   Why it matters

   Wildfires have been a growing concern in various parts of Europe, with hot and dry conditions creating a high risk of fires. The fires in Greece and Belgium are significant due to their proximity to populated areas and the impact on local communities.

   What is confirmed

   • Two people have died in wildfires near Athens, Greece.
   • Hundreds have been evacuated due to wildfires in Greece and Belgium.
   • A large wildfire is burning in a nature reserve in Belgium, near the German border.
   • The Belgian wildfire has forced hundreds to evacuate.

   What to watch next

   • Further evacuations in Greece and Belgium
   • Progress in containing the wildfires
   • Impact on local wildlife and environment
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. bbc.com — Belgian firefighters battle blaze tearing through nature reserve
   2. Reuters — Belgium's biggest wildfire on record heads towards Germany
   3. AP News — Firefighters battle a massive Belgian wildfire that forced hundreds to evacuate
   4. BBC — Two dead and hundreds evacuated as wildfires break out near Athens
   5. reuters.com — Two die as wildfires sweep Greek island of Salamina
   6. dw.com — Hundreds flee as Belgium battles wildfire at German border
   7. The Guardian — Greek wildfire kills two people as aircraft deployed to blaze at Belgian nature reserve
   8. PBS — Firefighters battle massive wildfires in Belgium and Greece as 2 die on an island near Athens
   confidence 90%