Greece asks EU for help as wildfires near Athens suburbs

Thousands of residents have been evacuated as large wildfires reached the suburbs of Athens, with some flames leaping as high as 25 metres (80 feet). 

The Greek government formally called on the EU for assistance on Monday, with France pledging to send 180 firefighters, 55 trucks and a helicopter to help contain the flames.  

A massive wildfire blazed into Athens’ northeastern suburbs on Monday as hundreds of firefighters battled to contain it, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes and sparking a Greek government appeal for international help.