Greek Firefighters Battle New Wildfire Near Athens amid Strong Winds

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Keratea, near Athens, Greece, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Giorgos Moutafis
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Keratea, near Athens, Greece, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Giorgos Moutafis
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Greek Firefighters Battle New Wildfire Near Athens amid Strong Winds

A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Keratea, near Athens, Greece, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Giorgos Moutafis
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop as a wildfire burns in Keratea, near Athens, Greece, June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Giorgos Moutafis

Greek firefighters were battling a wildfire south of Athens on Sunday amid strong winds, just hours after managing to contain blazes in a mountainous area also near the capital as well as on an island in the Aegean Sea.

Dozens of firefighters, backed up by 17 water-carrying aircraft, fought to tame the new fire in a sparsely-populated area near the town of Keratea, some 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Athens, Reuters reported.

Greek television showed at least one house in flames as smoke from burning pine and olive trees billowed into the sky.

With hot, windy conditions across much of Greece, dozens of wildfires broke out over the weekend and authorities advised people to stay away from forested areas.

Firefighters were still engaged on the island of Serifos where a fire had broken out amid low vegetation on Saturday and spread quickly, fanned by strong winds, damaging houses and prompting the evacuation of several hamlets.

The wildfire, which at one point had raged across 15 kilometres (9.3 miles), damaged holiday homes and storehouses, the island's mayor, Kostas Revinthis, told Greek television.

Another fire in the mountainous forest of Parnitha near a nature reserve just outside Athens had eased by Sunday morning, officials said.

The strong winds are not expected to abate until later on Sunday, meteorologists said.

Wildfires are common in the Mediterranean country but have become more devastating in recent years as summers have become hotter, drier and windier, which scientists link to the effects of climate change.

After last summer's deadly forest fires and following its warmest winter on record, Greece developed a new doctrine, which includes deploying an extra fire engine to each new blaze, speeding up air support and clearing forests.



Upon Saudi Arabia's Request, UN Declares Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day

Permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, delivered a speech at the UNGA, while presenting the draft resolution about the designation for adoption. SPA
Permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, delivered a speech at the UNGA, while presenting the draft resolution about the designation for adoption. SPA
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Upon Saudi Arabia's Request, UN Declares Nov. 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day

Permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, delivered a speech at the UNGA, while presenting the draft resolution about the designation for adoption. SPA
Permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, delivered a speech at the UNGA, while presenting the draft resolution about the designation for adoption. SPA

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed November 24 as World Conjoined Twins Day. This designation originates from an initiative put forth by Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the nucleus group composed of Bahrain, Morocco, Qatar, and Yemen.
The commemorative day aims to raise awareness about conjoined twins from a humanitarian perspective and to celebrate the remarkable achievements in the field of conjoined-twin separation surgeries.
Permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, delivered a speech at the UNGA, while presenting the draft resolution about the designation for adoption.
Al-Wasil highlighted that the resolution aims to increase awareness about conjoined twins at various stages of their lives.
He emphasized that the international community, through the Sustainable Development Goals, committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all individuals, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Al-Wasil added that this commitment underscores the need for fostering international and regional cooperation to ensure conjoined twins’ well-being and access to the highest quality healthcare, while promoting their human rights.
Al-Wasil highlighted human health as a priority for the Kingdom, showcasing its leading role regarding conjoined-twin separation.
The permanent representative expressed gratitude to the representatives of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their support throughout the drafting and negotiation phases of this resolution.