Wildfires Hit Ancient Olympia in Greece and Thermal Plant in Turkey

By Staff, Agencies

Wildfires have reached Olympia, the ancient Greek birthplace of the Olympic Games, a world-famous archaeological site where the Games were held every four years from 776 B.C. for over a millennium. 

Photos and videos from the area, which is engulfed by a blaze, were shared online, showing firefighters battling the flames with assistance from helicopters and planes. 

Meanwhile, in neighboring Turkey, the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant in Mugla province was engulfed by a wildfire.

According to the regional authorities, all explosive chemicals - hydrogen tanks and coal - have been removed from the strategic site.

The death toll from the wildfires which have ravaged almost the entire perimeter of Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts currently stands at eight. Some districts were declared 'disaster areas' by the authorities, promoting locals and tourists alike to flee.

In Greece, over 100 houses were destroyed by forest fires on the island of Evia. Luckily, no deaths or severe injuries have been reported in the country. 

Meteorologists say the heatwave will last until the end of the week.