Fire-fighters in Greece are battling the worst wildfires the country has faced in two years.
Fires first broke out on Friday night and now up to 70 more have broken out in the last 24 hours, fanned by gale force winds.
The towns of Grammatiko and Varnavas, near the historic town of Marathon, are currently on the frontline, with people being urged to abandon their homes and hospitals evacuated.
Olive groves and forests outside the towns have already been destroyed, while fire-fighters turn their attention to Pendeli, a suburb north of Athens.
In 2007 more than 70 people died when fires struck the same part of Greece. There are no reports of casualties in the current wildfires.
'Firefighters are working in extremely difficult circumstances,' said Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis.
'Our priority is the protection of human life and property.'
Fires first broke out on Friday night and now up to 70 more have broken out in the last 24 hours, fanned by gale force winds.
The towns of Grammatiko and Varnavas, near the historic town of Marathon, are currently on the frontline, with people being urged to abandon their homes and hospitals evacuated.
Olive groves and forests outside the towns have already been destroyed, while fire-fighters turn their attention to Pendeli, a suburb north of Athens.
In 2007 more than 70 people died when fires struck the same part of Greece. There are no reports of casualties in the current wildfires.
'Firefighters are working in extremely difficult circumstances,' said Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis.
'Our priority is the protection of human life and property.'
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