Latest news with #Sounion
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Wildfire prompts evacuations near Athens as summer's first heat wave hits Greece
ATHENS, Greece — A large wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, triggering authorities to issue evacuation orders and shut down parts of the coastal road linking the Greek capital to Sounion, location of the ancient Temple of Poseidon, a major tourist attraction. The fire came as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in Greece's first heatwave of the summer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Communities evacuated amid wildfire near Athens as heatwave hits Greece
A large wildfire has broken out south of Athens, prompting authorities to send phone alerts urging the evacuation of five communities near the blaze as temperatures approached 40C in Greece's first heatwave of the summer. About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coastguard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councillor Apostolos Papadakis said on ERT. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take other routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on level four of a five-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heatwave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Wildfire Prompts Evacuations Near Athens as Summer's First Heat Wave Hits Greece
A large wildfire broke out Thursday south of Athens, prompting authorities to send phone alerts urging the evacuation of five communities near the blaze as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Greece's first heat wave of the summer. About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coast guard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councilor Apostolos Papadakis said on Greece's state-run ERT television. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion–location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction–were closed, with people urged to take alternate routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heat wave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start–reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Wildfire prompts evacuations near Athens as summer's first heat wave hits Greece
A large wildfire broke out Thursday south of Athens, prompting authorities to send phone alerts urging the evacuation of five communities near the blaze as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in Greece's first heat wave of the summer. About two dozen water-dropping planes and helicopters were providing air support to 130 firefighters battling the blaze in the Palaia Fokaia seaside area south of Athens, the fire department said. The fire, which reportedly broke out within a populated area, was fanned by strong winds, sending plumes of smoke fanning out across the sky. Television footage showed at least one home burning. Local mayor Dimitris Loukas said on Greece's state-run ERT television that several houses were believed to have been damaged by the blaze, but added that exact information on property destruction was not immediately available. The coast guard said two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the Palaia Fokaia area in case an evacuation by sea became necessary, while a lifeboat was also on its way. 'We're telling people to leave their homes,' local town councilor Apostolos Papadakis said on Greece's state-run ERT television. Parts of the coastal road connecting Athens to Sounion, location of the ancient temple of Poseidon and a major tourist attraction, were closed, with people urged to take alternate routes to evacuate the area. Fire department spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said 40 people had been evacuated by police, while evacuation orders were issued for a total of five areas. The entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for the danger of wildfires due to the weather conditions, with the heat wave expected to last until the weekend. Earlier in the week, hundreds of firefighters took four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios. More than a dozen evacuation orders had been issued for Chios, where the flames devoured forest and farmland. The fire department said one woman had been arrested on suspicion of having contributed to that fire's start — reportedly by discarding a cigarette. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
Yemen Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Yemen Online
Greek Shipowner Linked to Rare Suezmax Deal to Replace Houthi-Damaged Tanker
Greek shipping interests have reportedly entered a rare secondhand sale-and-purchase (S&P) deal to acquire a replacement vessel, signaling a swift response to operational disruptions in the Red Sea. The Sounion, which was carrying 1 million barrels of Iraqi crude to Greece, suffered severe damage from multiple projectiles on August 21, 2024, prompting fears of an environmental disaster and forcing the vessel out of service. Salvage efforts were only permitted after international pressure led the Houthis to allow rescue operations. According to industry sources, the replacement vessel is believed to be a modern Suezmax tanker, acquired discreetly through a private transaction. While the buyer's identity has not been officially confirmed, maritime analysts suggest links to Greek owner George Chatzis, known for his recent activity in the secondhand market. The deal is notable given the tight availability of Suezmax tonnage and rising geopolitical risks in the region.
