Firefighters were struggling on Wednesday to battle spreading blazes in Greece and Italy that have scorched homes and forced new evacuations, as dry conditions and a blistering heatwave persist in Europe.
In Greece, a large blaze in Athens continued to burn, with flames reaching residential areas and destroying homes.
Nine firefighting planes and seven helicopters were deployed to battle the flames at first light, a fire service spokesman said Wednesday morning.
More than 100 fire engines were also at the scene.
Three firefighters and nine residents suffered mild injuries and were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties, state broadcaster ERT reported.
Seven localities and a children’s hospital were evacuated.
Thick brown plumes of smoke could be seen on Wednesday morning from almost all parts of Athens.
Parts of the motorway linking the city to the airport had to be closed due to reduced visibility.
Firefighting efforts are difficult because there is no fire front, but rather numerous blazes raging in forested areas and neighbourhoods in the Penteli area of north-east Athens near Mount Pentelicus, ERT reported.
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A fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon with the cause unknown and was initially small, according to witnesses.
Strong winds fanned the flames into a major blaze.
The region around Mount Pentelicus saw huge fires in the summer of 2021 which destroyed vast areas of forest and scrubland.
In Italy, hundreds of people in a Tuscan community had to be evacuated as a large wildfire spread across more land.
More than 100 firefighters continued to battle the fire, officials said, with 500 residents in the Tuscan community of Massarosa brought to safety in recent hours.
Video from overnight showed flames threatening homes and racing up trees, as several fire fronts expanded due to strong winds.
From the air, four firefighting aircraft and a helicopter are supporting the ground efforts. The operation in Tuscany has been underway since Sunday.
Tuscan Governor Eugenio Giani tweeted that some gas tanks engulfed in the blaze exploded.
For weeks now firefighters have been battling forest and bush fires throughout the country. Many have been caused by human negligence or arson, and then exacerbated by dry conditions and wind.
