Thousands of people living around Athens fled homes yesterday, including in the historic town of Marathon, as a huge wildfire front crept closer to the capital despite "superhuman" efforts to contain the blaze, officials said.
Authorities ordered at least five more communities and two hospitals northeast of Athens to leave after eight nearby villages, including Marathon, were told to evacuate on Sunday.
Marathon mayor Stergios Tsirkas said the town, which gave its name to the long-distance race, was facing a "biblical catastrophe."
A 30-kilometer long wall of flames, more than 25 meters high in places, was moving toward Athens.
The smell of smoke drifted through Athens' center as thick gray clouds engulfed Mount Pentelicus, which looms above the capital and is known for producing the marble used in the Acropolis and other ancient buildings.
Eight people have been hospitalized and Olympic stadium in northern Athens has been opened to house those fleeing the blaze that, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said, has reached Mount Pentelicus.
A children's hospital and a military medical facility in nearby Penteli were evacuated at dawn.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Two residents of Marathon comfort each other as, right, tourists take in the sights even as the wildfire casts a pall over Athens and its architectural jewel the Parthenon. XINHUA, BLOOMBERG
