A raging wildfire raced down a mountain slope in Greece toward the town of Marathon on Sunday, nearing two ancient temples while despairing residents pleaded for firefighters and equipment that were nowhere to be seen.
Tens of thousands of residents of Athens' northern suburbs evacuated their homes, fleeing in cars or on foot. Several houses were destroyed as the fire advanced across an area more than 31 miles (50 kilometers) wide.
More than 90 wildfires have ignited since Saturday across Greece, and six major fires were burning late Sunday. The Athens fire began on Mt. Penteli, which divides Athens from the Marathon plain, and has spread down both sides of the mountain.
Image: Residents at Agios Stephanos, a suburb north of Athens, leave their homes amid large forest fires near the Greek capital, on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009.
Images: Copyright AP. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
Defiant Afghans vote despite violence
Tens of thousands of residents of Athens' northern suburbs evacuated their homes, fleeing in cars or on foot. Several houses were destroyed as the fire advanced across an area more than 31 miles (50 kilometers) wide.
More than 90 wildfires have ignited since Saturday across Greece, and six major fires were burning late Sunday. The Athens fire began on Mt. Penteli, which divides Athens from the Marathon plain, and has spread down both sides of the mountain.
Image: Residents at Agios Stephanos, a suburb north of Athens, leave their homes amid large forest fires near the Greek capital, on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009.
Images: Copyright AP. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
Defiant Afghans vote despite violence
blog comments powered by Disqus