Residents told 'just leave' as wildfire rages near Athens

Greek authorities urged residents of a coastal region west of Athens to abandon their homes as a massive wildfire raged uncontrolled on Monday, closing one of Greece's busiest motorways and sending plumes of smoke over the capital.

Authorities deployed firefighters and equipment from across Greece to deal with the disaster at Kineta, a small resort town about 54 km (35 miles) west of Athens on a route tens of thousands of drivers use daily to reach the Peloponnese.

Strong winds fanned towering walls of flames, which stretched as wide as 6 km, according to local officials. The main Athens-Corinth motorway, one of two road routes to the Peloponnese peninsula, was shut and train services disrupted.

"The fire rages unabated," said Stavros Fotiou, vice mayor of the town of Megara. "We urge residents to head toward Corinth to protect themselves and their children".

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