Wildfire Kills Woman in Greece as Firefighters Try to Protect Athens Suburbs

A wildfire that has been raging north of Athens has claimed the life of one person but calmer winds are assisting efforts to control it.

Burned houses and cars following a wildfire in the Penteli area near Athens, Greece, Aug. 13, 2024. Reuters/Alexandros Avramidis

A wildfire burning on the northern outskirts of the Greek capital of Athens has claimed the life of a woman but firefighters say lighter winds are assisting them in tackling the blaze.

The fire broke out on Aug. 11 near the village of Varnavas, 20 miles north of Athens, and destroyed acres of tinder-dry forest, homes, and cars.