Residents flee as wildfire rages uncontrolled near Greek capital Athens

Summary

• Residents fled their homes in Varnava village near Athens due to a fast-moving wildfire
• More than 250 firefighters, water-bombing planes, and helicopters were deployed to battle the blaze
• Evacuation alerts were issued for five nearby areas as thick smoke covered Athens and reached Aegina island
• The wildfire spread rapidly due to gale-force winds, with other regions on high alert for fire risk