Greek authorities battle massive wildfire in southern Athens

ATHENS, Greece (CCTV) — A wildfire broke out in the southern suburb of the Greek capital of Athens on Monday afternoon, prompting local authorities to dispatch dozens of firefighters to the scene.

The blaze reportedly occurred around 18:00, about 13 kilometers from the Athens International Airport, and quickly spread through tinder-dry vegetation due to strong winds, which are blowing plumes of thick black smoke into the air.

Around 70 firefighters, 30 fire trucks and five helicopters have been sent to the scene to battle the fire.

The firefighters failed to contain the blaze before nightfall, after which water-dropping aircraft cannot operate.

The fire has not affected any flights and the burning area is uninhabited.