Tspiras urges calm as hundreds flee spreading Athens wildfires

Hundreds of Athens residents fled their homes on Friday as wildfires fanned by strong winds and high temperatures burned through woodland around the Greek capital, sending clouds of smoke billowing over the city. The fires are compounding the problems facing the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which is struggling to obtain a fresh bailout from foreign creditors. Tsipras, who may delay a reshuffle of his cabinet - expected on Friday - because of the emergency, urged calm as more than 80 firefighters with 18 fire engines and three aircraft battled the flames, which a Reuters photographer said were near homes.

We all need to stay calm.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras

The fire broke out on Mount Ymittos, which overlooks Athens and is about 15km from the city centre. Another large forest fire had developed earlier in the day on the tip of the southern Peloponnese peninsula, with authorities evacuating three villages and the coast guard sending vessels to rescue scores of people trapped on a beach. So far, no one has been reported injured, fire brigade officials said. Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, who spoke to Greek TV from the scene with a protective mask across his face, said: “We are all making an effort to stop the worst.”

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