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GREEK-WILDFIRE
State of emergency on Greek island due to wildfire
ATHENS, Aug. 13 (BSS/Xinhua) — Greek authorities have declared a state of
emergency on Evia Island, 80 km north of Athens, after a blaze broke out
Sunday afternoon, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of villagers.
Giorgos Psaras, mayor of Dirfia and Messapies municipality, which was the
hardest hit, told local Skai TV that arson was suspected.
Over 180 firemen battled to contain the fire, assisted by water-dropping
helicopters, local fire service chief Vangelis Palios told Greek national
news agency AMNA.
Greece mourned one of its deadliest tragedies in over a decade this year as
94 lives were lost in the July 23 wildfire in eastern Attica.
BSS/XINHUA/RY/1531 hrs