Emergency services are fighting forest fires in several regions of Greece. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated around the capital Athens.

A fire is currently raging in the small town of Varnavas in the East Attica regional district, about 30 kilometres north of Athens.

The fire caused so much smoke that Athens was shrouded in thick clouds of smoke. Hundreds of people fled from at least eight nearby villages, while others tried to save their homes from the flames. The situation there remains dangerous.

Greek authorities ordered the evacuation of several towns northeast of Athens. More than 30,000 residents were brought to safety from the historic city of Marathon, to the seaside town of Nea Makri.

Over 400 firefighters with 110 vehicles, 29 firefighting planes and helicopters are deployed in the region to fight the flames, which in many cases were reported to be over 25 metres high.

The weather remains unfavourable for fighting forest fires: hot, sunny and gusty winds are blowing. By the weekend the chance of rain in the region increases slightly, but a significant change is not forecast for now.