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- Wildfires continue to rage across Greece, as well as Turkey, Italy, and Spain.
- Thousands of residents have been evacuated, with their homes destroyed.
- Ancient Olympia is under threat from the fires, with over 250 wildfires sparked in recent days.
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Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, is under threat by the wildfires that continue to rage on in Greece.
The fires, which started in late July and have been burning for over two weeks now, are raging towards archaeological sites in Olympia.
Under threat are some of Olympia's most fabulous monuments, including the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Zeus. Meanwhile, the original site of the Olympics where the games were held from 776 BC to 393 AD, is also in danger from the infernos.
Firefighters had previously stopped three fires from reaching the site on Wednesday, but it is now under threat again. More than 250 wildfires have been blazing in the last few days, with 154 documented on Friday alone.
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Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, with around 20 houses destroyed in the fires yesterday alone. Over 50 firetrucks, six helicopters, 170 firefighters, and a water-bombing aircraft have been utilized in the battle to wrangle the fires under control.
As reported by Sky News, one of the volunteer firefighters was killed in the fires while thousands were evacuated from the island of Evia, which lies near to Athens. The volunteer died after a utility pole hit his head, officials said.
At least 20 people have been left needing hospital treatment across Greece, according to Sky News, while various farm animals have been killed and multiple business and homes destroyed.
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On the island of Evia, residents and holidaymakers staying in the village of Limni were forced to flee to the harbour after all other exit routes from the village were cut off by the fires.
"Our priority is always the protection of human life followed by the protection of property, the natural environment and critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, achieving all these aims at the same time is simply impossible," Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the prime minister, said in an address to the nation on TV.
In total, an estimate of 5,000 acres has burned, with temperatures reaching 107.6F - the highest temperature in Greece since 1987.
The worst, however, may still be yet to come.
Strong winds are predicted to arrive in Greece, which will only fan and increase the fires.
In a statement to broadcaster ERT, head of the coast guard of Aidipsos, Evia, Sotiris Danikas, said: "We're talking about the apocalypse, I don't know how to describe it."
Extreme weather has been hitting several countries worldwide, with Turkey, Italy, and Spain also engulfed in battles against wildfires as southern Europe deals with record-breaking temperatures.