Heatwave’s Return Threatens Greece with More Destruction

Images of biblical destruction continue to unfold in Greece, where wildfires have been burning their way through forests farms and settlements since August 2 and where, in the next few days, temperatures are expected to soar to 42 degrees Celsius.

In Attica, houses and forest areas have been destroyed, in Ilia and East Mani, the situation remains critical, while fires are still raging in Evia. Two people have died, while others, including firefighters, have been hospitalized with respiratory problems. Experts are sounding the alarm about the increase of micro-particles in the atmosphere.

According to the Athens National Observatory, by Sunday, August 8, about 460,000 acres in Evia, 80,000 acres in Attica and 110,000 acres in Laconia had been destroyed, bringing the total burned area to at least 650,000 acres. Moreover, it is estimated that this figure will grow in the coming days as the fires continue.

Some areas of Attica, North Evia and the Peloponnese have been without water and electricity for days.

Navy ships and private vessels are transferring fire victims in North Evia to safe places. According to the media, at least 1,200 fire victims are being accommodated in hotels in Edipsos and Chalkida, as well as in an indoor basketball court.

Many people are showing solidarity, supporting the victims by every means possible as well as helping the firefighters.

However, residents in Evia have accused the government of leaving the island at the mercy of the fire.

The chief of the fire brigade, Stefanos Kolokouris, responded that "a lot of help was allocated to Evia [but] over the previous days we had many [fire] fronts [to combat]".

The government has been criticized on twitter for its decision in the midst of...