Wildfire in southern Greece leaves two dead

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Wildfire In Southern Greece Leaves Two Dead
Orange skies over a threatened house as awildfire approaches the village of Kallithea, © Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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By AP Reporters

Two people have died in a large wildfire burning through forestland near a seaside resort in southern Greece, authorities said.

The fire service said about 350 firefighters, assisted by eight water-dropping aircraft, managed to bring the blaze under control near Xylokastro in the Peloponnese region.

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Half a dozen villages were ordered evacuated overnight as a precaution after the fire broke out on Sunday.


A wildfire burns a forest near the village of Kallithea
The fire is now largely under control (AP)

The flames were fanned on by very strong winds blowing through forests left tinder-dry by a warm spring and hot summer.

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Authorities said the two dead were believed to be local residents declared missing late on Sunday. No-one else is believed to be missing.

There were no immediate reports of burned homes in the affected area, some 93 miles south-west of Athens.


A resident reacts as a wildfire approaches the village of Ano Loutro
No-one else is thought to be missing or injured (AP)

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Greece, like other southern European countries, is plagued by destructive wildfires every summer.

Over the past few months, authorities have had to cope with more than 4,500 wildfires.

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