One fatality reported as wildfire rages near Thessaloniki, forcing evacuations.
A wildfire burning out of control in northern Greece has resulted in one fatality and forced the evacuation of a nearby village. The victim's body was discovered in a charred area near Liti, approximately 15 km northwest of Thessaloniki.
Over 100 firefighters are working to contain the blaze. A woman sustained burns to her hands while attempting to extinguish the flames. Hot and windy conditions have hindered firefighting efforts.
Dozens of fire engines and at least seven aircraft were deployed late Tuesday to combat the fire, which was reported to be approximately 5 km long and still spreading. The cause of the fire, which started around 14:30 local time (11:30 GMT) and quickly spread to a nearby forest, is under investigation.
The region was under a high wildfire risk warning on Tuesday due to dry conditions and high winds. Residents of Liti were urged to evacuate. Greek broadcaster ERT reported damage to a small number of properties. The fire was spreading toward the village of Melissochori on Tuesday evening.
This is the latest in a series of forest fires in Greece as the country approaches its peak tourist season. Wildfires are common during Greek summers, which are characterized by regular droughts and heatwaves.