A man has died in northern Greece as firefighters struggle to contain a wildfire burning near the city of Thessaloniki. The out-of-control blaze has forced residents of a nearby village to evacuate.
The body of the deceased was discovered in a charred area close to Liti, a village situated approximately 15 kilometers (nine miles) northwest of Thessaloniki. More than 100 firefighters, supported by numerous fire engines and at least seven aircraft, were engaged in efforts to contain the fire late Tuesday.
Firefighting operations were reportedly hampered by hot and windy weather conditions. The fire, which reportedly faced firefighters as a wall of flame extending approximately 5 kilometers, was still spreading.
A woman sustained burns to her hands while reportedly attempting to extinguish the flames. The cause of the fire, which ignited around 2:30 PM local time on Tuesday and rapidly spread into a nearby forest, remains undetermined.
The region was under a high wildfire risk warning on Tuesday. Dry conditions and high winds have made containment difficult and led to repeated flare-ups.
Residents of Liti were instructed to leave their homes, and reports indicate that a small number of properties sustained damage. The fire was observed to be moving towards the nearby village of Melissochori on Tuesday evening.
This incident marks the latest in a series of forest fires in Greece as the country approaches its peak tourist season. Wildfires have become a recurring challenge during Greek summers, often characterized by regular droughts and heatwaves.