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Greece Seeks EU Firefighting Planes as Wildfires Spread Near Athens

Authorities have requested six firefighting planes from the EU RescEU pool to bolster stretched crews battling advancing blazes

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Overview

  • Wildfires north of Athens forced evacuations in Kryoneri and Drosopigi, with police rescuing 27 residents.
  • Blazes in West Euboea, the Peloponnese and Kythira remain uncontrolled, with night-flying bans grounding aerial support.
  • Greece has activated the RescEU mechanism for six firefighting aircraft and received aid from Czech teams to address resource shortages.
  • In Cyprus, the Limassol-area blaze has been largely contained after burning 125 square kilometers, killing two people and injuring seven.
  • Record-breaking temperatures exceeding 44°C and prolonged drought have heightened wildfire risks and strained national fire services.