A wildfire broke out on Thursday near the coastal town of Rafina, in eastern Attica prefecture and due east of the greater Athens area, prompting an immediate and massive response by firefighting units and aerial support.

The blaze erupted in the municipality where 102 people died in in July 2018 in Greece’s deadliest wildfire, the Mati conflagration.  The proximity to the tragic Mati site has heightened concern among residents and authorities alike.

Traffic was suspended in both directions of Marathonos Avenue in the early afternoon, as the fire is burning through crop and brushland near the roadway, which connects the greater Athens area with the busy port of Rafina and the eastern Attica coastline.

According to the fire brigade 90 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene, including six ground units, supported by 15 fire engines. The firefighting effort is further reinforced by local volunteers and five water-dropping aircraft. Local municipal water tankers are also assisting in the operation.

An emergency 112 SMS alert was issued for people currently near Rafina, stating: “If you are in the areas of Agia Kyriaki, Etos Steko, or Imeros Pefkos, evacuate immediately via Agia Kyriaki and Marathonos Avenue toward the Artemida football field.” Firefighting efforts are ongoing.

Four settlements evacuated

Four settlements were later evacuated by police near the initial epicenter, the Aghia Kyriaki site between Rafina and Pikermi. Meanwhile, a ferry boat carrying passengers from the town of Marmari, on southern Evia Island, to Rafina, was turned back, given that roads leading out of Rafina were either closed of congested.