Cyprus Sends 64 Personnel to Fight Fires in Greece

Cyprus is dispatching 64 personnel to assist in combating the wildfires in Greece. The team will depart from the island at 2 a.m. on Tuesday on a Sky Express flight from Larnaca.

The decision to send help was made after Greek authorities ordered further evacuations in areas near Athens on Monday due to the escalating fire situation.

The head of the Cyprus Fire Service told the Cyprus Mail that 20 firefighters, 20 forestry department officers, 20 civil defense members, and four emergency medical personnel will be sent to Greece.

Earlier on Monday, the Greek government requested assistance from Cyprus to help fight the ongoing wildfires across the country.

The Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported that President Nikos Christodoulides and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis have already instructed "all relevant services," including the fire department, civil defense, forestry department, and medical personnel, to form a mission to travel to Greece.

Later on Monday, President Christodoulides spoke by phone with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who thanked him for the swift response to the call for help.

The major wildfire began in northeastern Attica, in Varnavas, on Sunday around noon. The flames rapidly spread throughout the area, reaching Mount Pentelikon. By Monday morning, the fire was out of control. There are currently three main fronts in the battle against the blaze: in Grammatiko, Penteli, and Nea Makri. Firefighting efforts are being hampered by strong winds, with the fire covering more than 30-40 kilometers in less than 12 hours.

Firefighters are also battling a blaze in a forested area near the town of Megara, west of Athens, while several other regions in Greece have been placed on high alert.

According to media reports, residents of two areas near Athens were ordered to evacuate on Sunday.