New Blazes Erupt, Prison Fire, and Utility Arrest in Fire Probe
Get European news in your inbox daily
A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.
Check your email. We've sent a confirmation link — click it to complete your subscription.
New wildfires have erupted across several regions, including Boeotia, Fichti in Argolida, and Achaia, prompting emergency alerts and reinforcing firefighting efforts. These new outbreaks are compounded by strong, gale-force winds, reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h in areas like Penteli, which are severely exacerbating existing blazes and creating challenging conditions for emergency services. A separate fire also broke out within Korydallos Prison.
Adding to the ongoing fire crisis, an investigation into the Rethymno fire has led to the arrest of a Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DEDDIE) official, with initial findings suggesting that damaged medium-voltage power lines may have caused the ignition. The nation is also mourning the 27-year-old firefighter who lost his life in Gytheio, with his funeral being held with honors today.
In other news, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced an increase in the tax-free threshold for tips, a measure aimed at supporting workers. Economically, Alpha Bank reported significant profits of 495 million euros for the first half of the year.