Major wildfires rage across Porto Germeno and Boeotia in Greece

A massive wildfire, classified as a "mega fire," is currently devastating the area of Porto Germeno in Attica and neighboring regions in Boeotia, Greece. The blaze, which began on July 31, has destroyed or damaged over 100 homes in Porto Germeno and prompted urgent evacuations for settlements including Agia Paraskevi, Kryo Pigadi, Agios Nektarios, and Livadostra. Twelve people were successfully rescued by sea from a beach in Porto Germeno by coast guard and fire service vessels.

Firefighting efforts are significantly hampered by extreme weather conditions, including gale-force winds and high thermal loads, which frequently prevent aerial units from conducting water drops. As of August 1, authorities have deployed 496 firefighters, 22 specialized forest commando teams, 134 vehicles, 19 aircraft, and 11 helicopters. The operation also includes international assistance from French and Romanian fire brigades currently stationed in the country. Emergency services remain on high alert as they struggle to contain multiple fire fronts and prevent them from merging in the difficult terrain.