Wildfire in Greece kills 12-year-old boy12-year-old boy and father as evacuations begin
A wildfire in northern Greece killed a 12-year-old boy and his father on Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for two villages in central Greece.
More than 135 firefighters and 25 aircraft are battling the blaze, underscoring the growing severity of forest fire risks in Europe during summer heat.
- Greece experiences over 1,000 wildfires annually, with summer months being the most dangerous due to dry conditions and high temperatures.
- Thessaloniki, the city where evacuation orders were focused, has a population of over 325,000 and is a key economic center for northern Greece.
- The 25 aircraft used in the firefighting effort include water-bombing planes and helicopters, which are critical for reaching remote forest areas inaccessible to ground crews.
