Wildfire burning through forest in southern Greece kills 2 people
Greek authorities say two people have died overnight in a large wildfire burning through forestland above a seaside resort in southern Greece
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Two people died overnight in a large wildfire burning through forestland in Greece near a seaside resort in the country's south, authorities said Monday.
The fire service said about 350 firefighters, assisted by 18 water-dropping aircraft, were battling the blaze near Xylokastro in the Peloponnese region.
While the initial large front was put out, scattered flare-ups continued to burn, forcing evacuation orders for three villages on Monday. The blaze also led authorities to shut down a section of a major highway linking Athens to the western port city of Patras Monday night, with traffic diverted to an older, smaller road.
Earlier, half a dozen villages were ordered evacuated overnight as a precaution after the blaze broke out on Sunday. There was no threat to Xylokastro. The flames were fanned by very strong winds blowing through forests left tinder-dry by a warm spring and hot summer, attributed to climate change.
