Greece: Massive wildfire near Corinth prompts village evacuations

A major forest fire has broken out near the southern Greek city of Corinth, forcing multiple villages to evacuate as emergency crews battle intense flames in searing heat, Greek authorities said.

The wildfire, which ignited in the pine-covered hills around the village of Karteri, west of Athens, prompted the deployment of over 180 firefighters, backed by 15 firefighting planes and 12 helicopters, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Officials reported no casualties as of July 22. Temperatures across Greece have soared to around 40°C this week, complicating firefighting efforts.

Earlier the same day, a helicopter engaged in a separate fire operation in Athens crashed into the sea while attempting to collect water. All three crew members were rescued and taken to the hospital.

Greece, like much of southern Europe, is grappling with increasingly frequent and severe wildfires. The country experiences dozens of blazes each summer due to a combination of high temperatures, prolonged drought and strong winds — conditions experts say are being worsened by climate change.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe has seen temperatures rise at twice the global average since the 1980s, making it the fastest-warming continent on the planet.

The Greek government, responding to heightened fire risks, announced in May a record deployment of firefighting personnel this summer and a significant expansion of its drone surveillance fleet.

The region remains on high alert amid ongoing heatwaves and dry conditions. The memory of the devastating 2018 Mati fire — which killed over 100 people after flames trapped residents and holidaymakers in their homes and along the coastline — still lingers as a stark reminder of the stakes.

Authorities continue to urge caution and cooperation from the public as firefighting efforts proceed in the mountainous terrain near Corinth.

By Aghakazim Guliyev