Flames are advancing on Athens, despite the efforts of firefighters, thousands to evacuate

 

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Flames are advancing on Athens, despite the efforts of firefighters. 

The fire is moving towards residential areas of the Attica metropolitan region. 

Authorities ordered thousands of people to evacuate as firefighters battled a spate of wildfires with experts warning of more extreme weather to come next week.

The Hellenic Police, with its announcement, makes a warm plea to all citizens to avoid any movement towards the areas affected by fires, as in this way the work of the Traffic and Fire Brigades is made more difficult.

Firefighters were battling a "dangerous" fire near Athens, with smoke covering parts of the capital in a dark haze. The emergency services issued evacuation orders in several towns including the historic site of Marathon.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his holiday and returned to Athens to deal with the crisis.