A new evacuation order was issued as devastating wildfires spread along the Erithros and Nea Makri areas of Greece.
Greek emergency services have urged residents to “move away” towards Rafina, a port town on the eastern coast of Attica.
The suburban town is located less than 40km west of Athens and is one of the main ports connecting the Greek capital to the islands.
Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias said in a statement on Monday: “Since yesterday afternoon, the residents of northeastern Attica have been facing an extremely dangerous wildfire that we have been battling for over 20 hours under dramatic conditions.
“These challenges are due to the strong winds, prolonged drought, and the very difficult and rugged terrain of dense, unburnt forest.
“Unfortunately, the prediction from the Risk Assessment Committee, which placed Attica and other regions of Greece on red alert, has been confirmed.
“We will continue with all our strength until the fire is under control and every last hotspot is extinguished.”
The evacuation order was updated as forecasters warned strong winds were causing the wildfires to spread across the region.
The President of the Panhellenic Union of Firefighters, Nikolas Lavranos, said the winds have resulted in the fire burning “uncontrollably.”
Mr Lavranos said: “This particular fire is driven by the wind and as strong as it is, combined with the local microclimate – which also played its part and strengthened the weakened Beaufort in the evening so that we did not have a significant drop in the winds and the fire it continues to burn uncontrollably.
“A big problem that was presented yesterday was the phenomenon of burning embers that, due to the strong winds, were transported hundreds of meters away.”
The UK Foreign Office has not yet issued any travel advice or warnings to British tourists in relation to the wildfires.
Nearly 700 firefighters have been battling the raging inferno near the town of Varnavs, part of the municipal area of the ancient city of Marathon in Eastern Attica, since Sunday.
The fire has since spread to the village of Grammatiko, the seaside town of Neal Makri, and Mount Penteli.
The areas of Gramatiko, Stamata, Rodopoli, Mikrochori, Amygdaleza, Palea, and Nea Penteli are all under an evacuation order.
Authorities have already warned additional evacuation orders may be issued in the coming hours because of the wildfires spreading fast.
Three hospitals in the Penteli area have already been evacuated and affected areas remain cordoned off to car and pedestrian traffic.
