Greece is battling several wildfires since Sunday (August 11), with smoke covering parts of the capital Athens in a haze, amid warnings for extreme weather conditions for the rest of the week. Watch in for more details!

Greece battling wildfires amid high winds, deploys army to contain blaze

A woman's body was found early Tuesday inside a burned-out Athens factory. It is believed to be the first reported death from a the wildfire. The inferno has forced thousands to flee their homes, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Greece Wildfires: Greece deploys armed forces to battle blazes

Greece Wildfires: One dead as wildfires rage across Athens suburbs

Greece Wildfires: First death reported as wildfires rage across Athens

Firefighters in Greece are working to contain a major and fast-spreading wildfire that broke out near Athens on Sunday, which has damaged buildings and produced flames more than 80 feet tall. Watch in for more details!

Greece wildfires: Race to save Athens, Greece seeks EU help to fight wildfires

The remains of a Roman prison have been identified in Corinth, Greece. Archaeologists haven't found a lot of Roman prisons which makes this latest discovery extremely rare. Some strange graffiti has also been found on the floors of the prison which were likely scribbled by the prisoners. Matthew Larsen, an archaeologist and associate professor of the New Testament at the University of Copenhagen, wrote in the journal Hesperia that "prisons must have existed in almost every Roman town, at least those that had a forum".&nbsp;

"Yet the archaeological remains of prisons have proven exceedingly hard to identify. There is scant evidence of what a Roman prison would have looked like, or where it would have been located."

The prison is around 1,600 years old&nbsp;and belongs to a time when the Roman Empire controlled the area. Larsen used the records from an excavation that happened back in 1901 to learn more about the site.&nbsp;

Graffiti found on the floor played a major role in identifying the Roman prison. Eerie words and pleas in the Greek language were found on the site, including one that reads, "May the fortune of those who suffer in this lawless place prevail. Lord, do not show mercy on the one who threw us in here."

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The disturbing graffiti written on the floors was within the boundaries of the cracks. Larsen suggests that this means that when the flooring was put in place, the cracks were likely already there. The pleas were written within the cracks, which backs the idea that this site was a prison.

<h2>Graffiti shows living conditions of prisoners</h2>

Larsen told LiveScience that the graffiti suggests the prisoners were living in deplorable conditions. "You get a sense that they're in a very dark space, that they cannot be given a hearing," he said.&nbsp;

"Godbearer, repay [punishment given by] Marinos, the one who threw us in here and made us spend winter," an inscription reads. "This probably would have been an incredibly cold place in the winter," Larsen said.

One disturbing graffiti asks god to "make them die an awful death," supposedly alluding to those who imprisoned them.

Other graffiti were pleas for the release of prisoners and even about their lovers. Then there were game boards which prisoners likely used to pass the time.&nbsp;

He also found the remains of "olpai" (jugs) and lamps in an aisle of the prison, which likely provided the prisoners with water and light. Evidence suggesting the existence of a small latrine in a prison chamber was also found.&nbsp;

The remains of a Roman prison have been identified in Corinth, Greece. Archaeologists haven't found a lot of Roman prisons which makes this latest discovery extremely rare.

The remains of a Roman prison have been identified in Corinth, Greece. Archaeologists haven't found a lot of Roman prisons which makes this latest discovery extremely rare. Some strange graffiti has also been found on the floors of the prison which were likely scribbled by the prisoners. Matthew Larsen, an archaeologist and associate professor of the New Testament at the University of Copenhagen, wrote in the journal Hesperia that "prisons must have existed in almost every Roman town, at least those that had a forum". "Yet the archaeological remains of prisons have proven exceedingly hard to identify. There is scant evidence of what a Roman prison would have looked like, or where it would have been located." The prison is around 1,600 years old and belongs to a time when the Roman Empire controlled the area. Larsen used the records from an excavation that happened back in 1901 to learn more about the site. Graffiti found on the floor played a major role in identifying the Roman prison. Eerie words and pleas in the Greek language were found on the site, including one that reads, "May the fortune of those who suffer in this lawless place prevail. Lord, do not show mercy on the one who threw us in here." Also Read: Japanese man discovers girlfriend is 25 years older than him on wedding eve, says 'I don’t...' The disturbing graffiti written on the floors was within the boundaries of the cracks. Larsen suggests that this means that when the flooring was put in place, the cracks were likely already there. The pleas were written within the cracks, which backs the idea that this site was a prison. Graffiti shows living conditions of prisoners Larsen told LiveScience that the graffiti suggests the prisoners were living in deplorable conditions. "You get a sense that they're in a very dark space, that they cannot be given a hearing," he said. "Godbearer, repay [punishment given by] Marinos, the one who threw us in here and made us spend winter," an inscription reads. "This probably would have been an incredibly cold place in the winter," Larsen said. One disturbing graffiti asks god to "make them die an awful death," supposedly alluding to those who imprisoned them. Other graffiti were pleas for the release of prisoners and even about their lovers. Then there were game boards which prisoners likely used to pass the time. He also found the remains of "olpai" (jugs) and lamps in an aisle of the prison, which likely provided the prisoners with water and light. Evidence suggesting the existence of a small latrine in a prison chamber was also found.

'Make them die an awful death': Disturbing graffiti found on floors of Roman era prison

Firefighters battle fast-spreading wildfire near Athens

The Elgin Marbles could be returned to Greece after more than 200 years as part of a "Parthenon partnership" proposed by a British Museum chief.

Will Greece agree to loan the Parthenon Sculptures?

UK government mulls return of iconic sculptures to Greece

UK govt mulling loan agreement with Greece for Elgin marbles

New Delhi on Saturday (Jul 20) dismissed reports&nbsp;that claimed Turkey has imposed a ban on defence exports to India as 'disinformation'. A spokesperson for the Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) said, "It is disinformation at best". Earlier, several media reports claimed Turkey&nbsp;had taken the step to strengthen its ties with India's arch-rival, Pakistan. The reports claimed that Ankara was irked after New Delhi in April ended a contract with a Turkish firm involved in a $2 billion shipbuilding project.

<h2>India's response</h2>

In response&nbsp;to the claims, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the MEA, said: "As far as my knowledge is concerned and information is concerned, that information is not good. So I will refer you to please take that question to the Turkish Embassy who can for short give you an answer because it is a post which generated in Turkey. To my understanding, to the best of my knowledge, it is disinformation at best."

<h2>No announcement from Turkey</h2>

Notably, the Turkish government has made no official announcement regarding this. But, a top executive of Turkish top arms procurement agency is said to have informed their lawmakers that Ankara has refrained from approving the sale of any military article to its customers in India.

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"Due to our political circumstances and our friendship with Pakistan, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not give us positive feedback on exporting any products to India, and consequently, we do not grant any permits to our companies in this regard,” the executive reportedly told Turkish lawmakers.

<h2>India-Turkey ties</h2>

Ties between the two nations have nosedived over the past years, especially because of Turkey's steadfast support of&nbsp;Pakistan's agenda on Kashmir.

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Even during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Turkey grew closer to Pakistan and Azerbaijan and took steps to counter the India-Iran-Armenia bloc.

India's overtures to Greece have also made Ankara uncomfortable. Greece has reportedly offered to become India's gateway to Europe as part of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Earlier this year, New Delhi also hosted the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Dimitrios Choupis, at a fighter base, in a clear signal to Ankara that Athens&nbsp;is India's priority in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)

New Delhi on Saturday (Jul 20) dismissed reports that claimed Turkey has imposed a ban on defence exports to India as 'disinformation'. A spokesperson for the Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) said, "It is disinformation at best".

New Delhi on Saturday (Jul 20) dismissed reports that claimed Turkey has imposed a ban on defence exports to India as 'disinformation'. A spokesperson for the Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) said, "It is disinformation at best". Earlier, several media reports claimed Turkey had taken the step to strengthen its ties with India's arch-rival, Pakistan. The reports claimed that Ankara was irked after New Delhi in April ended a contract with a Turkish firm involved in a $2 billion shipbuilding project. India's response In response to the claims, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the MEA, said: "As far as my knowledge is concerned and information is concerned, that information is not good. So I will refer you to please take that question to the Turkish Embassy who can for short give you an answer because it is a post which generated in Turkey. To my understanding, to the best of my knowledge, it is disinformation at best." No announcement from Turkey Notably, the Turkish government has made no official announcement regarding this. But, a top executive of Turkish top arms procurement agency is said to have informed their lawmakers that Ankara has refrained from approving the sale of any military article to its customers in India. Also read: India and Italy strengthen ties with Indo-Mediterranean initiative "Due to our political circumstances and our friendship with Pakistan, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not give us positive feedback on exporting any products to India, and consequently, we do not grant any permits to our companies in this regard,” the executive reportedly told Turkish lawmakers. India-Turkey ties Ties between the two nations have nosedived over the past years, especially because of Turkey's steadfast support of Pakistan's agenda on Kashmir. Also read: How Israel-Hamas war is impacting state of India-Middle East-Europe corridor Even during the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Turkey grew closer to Pakistan and Azerbaijan and took steps to counter the India-Iran-Armenia bloc. India's overtures to Greece have also made Ankara uncomfortable. Greece has reportedly offered to become India's gateway to Europe as part of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Earlier this year, New Delhi also hosted the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Dimitrios Choupis, at a fighter base, in a clear signal to Ankara that Athens is India's priority in the region. (With inputs from agencies)

Has Turkey imposed a ban on defence exports to India? New Delhi responds

Greece has ordered some businesses not to let their employees perform heavy outdoor duties during afternoon hours this week as the country sizzles in yet another heat wave.

Greece Heatwave: Greece restricts outdoor work

Greek firefighters are battling a blaze on the island of kos for a second day. the wildfire has reached the seaside village of Kardamaina overnight. People took refuge in a sports center and other venues.

Greece: Wildfires fanned by strong winds

Greece has introduced a six-day working week to turbocharge productivity. This comes at a time when several countries including Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands have introduced a four-day working week.

Greece has introduced a six-day working week to turbocharge productivity. This comes at a time when several countries including Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands have introduced a four-day working week. The initiative (by the Greek government) came into force on Monday (Jul 1), a report by The Guardian said. The government said that the initiative was made necessary by the twin perils of a shrinking population and a shortage of skilled workers. This initiative is part of a broader set of labour laws passed in 2023, The Guardian report said. A look at the six-day workweek measure According to officials, the six-day work measure would only apply to businesses providing round-the-clock services. Under the extended working week, staff in select industries and manufacturing facilities would have the option of working an additional two hours a day or an extra eight-hour shift. Also read | Four-day workweek: This country to launch six-month pilot programme for workers This would be rewarded with a top-up fee of 40 per cent added to the daily wage, the report added. Fierce criticism of the measure The measure has been fiercely criticised. Citing critics, The Guardian reported that the measure erodes legal protections and rolls back long-established workers’ rights in the name of flexibility. Also watch | Hybrid work vs office mandates × Akis Sotiropoulos, a member of the civil servants’ union Adedy, said a six-day workweek made no sense whatsoever. "When almost every other civilised country is enacting a four-day week, Greece decides to go the other way,” Sotiropoulos said. “In reality, this has been passed by a government ideologically committed to generating ever bigger profits for capital,” Sotiropoulos added and pointed out that better productivity comes with better work conditions and a better quality of life. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece introduces six-day working week to turbocharge productivity; measure criticised

Greece frequently experiences wildfires, but in recent years, due to hotter and drier summers linked to climate change, they have become more destructive. Authorities said they thought the wildfire near Athens last week was caused by arson in addition to the hot, dry weather. Dozens of people were forced to evacuate their homes.

Greece fights worst wildfires in a day: Officials advice people to stay away from forest

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer.

Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111&nbsp;°F).&nbsp;

Two large wildfires were raging in Attica Sunday afternoon, with residents told to evacuate from eight areas near the capital.

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Some 140 firefighters, with teams of forest commandos, 39 vehicles, eight helicopters and nine aircraft were working to control the flames in Keratea, south of Athens.

Ertnews channel reported that at least four houses were completely destroyed.&nbsp;

"The situation is very difficult, as strong winds continue to blow, they have not subsided and the outbreaks are many," the mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, told Athens News Agency.&nbsp;

"We are fighting a great battle."

He warned that "the wind is very strong and is constantly creating outbreaks".

However he said that the nearby military air base was not currently in danger from the flames.

It came a day after another wildfire had erupted in the same area, sparking evacuation orders but was later successfully controlled.&nbsp;

North of Athens, another blaze ignited in the suburb of Stamata and authorities&nbsp;sent emergency messages for inhabitants to evacuate.

Fire brigade spokesman Vasileios Vathrakogiannis said it was "the most difficult day of the year so far for the Fire Brigade."

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<h2>Island fires</h2>

A fire also broke out Sunday in an industrial zone in Ritsona, near the island of Evia.&nbsp;

Black smoke has filled the sky above Ritsona after the fire started in a recycling factory, burning various flammable materials that were in the grounds around it, including tyres and mattresses.&nbsp;

Firefighters are positioned along the old Ritsona national road and are fighting to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the recycling plant to other factories in the area.

The fire is also near a refugee centre, but the Athens News Agency reported that this was not believed to be in danger.

Separately, a large wildfire broke out on Serifos island on Saturday afternoon, but was also brought under control by firefighters early Sunday.

"All of southwestern Serifos has burned. We are talking about an area where the fire stopped at the sea," Serifos mayor Konstantinos Revintis told MEGA TV.&nbsp;

The fire caused damage to houses, cottages, warehouses and chapels, according to the mayor.

The Fire Danger Forecast Map issued for Sunday by the Civil Protection Ministry predicted a very high category 4 risk of fire for Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete, the North and South Aegean Regions, and central Greece.&nbsp;

A wildfire ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha-- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was controlled Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters.

More than forty wildfires erupted across Saturday in Greece with wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour, according to fire brigade sources.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on Greeks to brace for a difficult wildfire season in his weekly Facebook post on Sunday.

"The difficult times are still ahead of us. Our effort is continuous. In this effort, our allies are new tools that build a new culture of prevention and responsibility," he said.

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer. Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111 °F).

Firefighters were battling a series of wildfires near the Greek capital Athens on Sunday afternoon, as the country braces for another scorching summer. Greece faces a tough wildfire season after its warmest winter and earliest heatwave on record, with temperatures hitting 44°C (111 °F). Two large wildfires were raging in Attica Sunday afternoon, with residents told to evacuate from eight areas near the capital. Also read | Hungary's PM Viktor Orban unveils new far-right bloc in European Parliament Some 140 firefighters, with teams of forest commandos, 39 vehicles, eight helicopters and nine aircraft were working to control the flames in Keratea, south of Athens. Ertnews channel reported that at least four houses were completely destroyed. "The situation is very difficult, as strong winds continue to blow, they have not subsided and the outbreaks are many," the mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, told Athens News Agency. "We are fighting a great battle." He warned that "the wind is very strong and is constantly creating outbreaks". However he said that the nearby military air base was not currently in danger from the flames. It came a day after another wildfire had erupted in the same area, sparking evacuation orders but was later successfully controlled. North of Athens, another blaze ignited in the suburb of Stamata and authorities sent emergency messages for inhabitants to evacuate. Fire brigade spokesman Vasileios Vathrakogiannis said it was "the most difficult day of the year so far for the Fire Brigade." Also read | Hurricane Beryl, rare for this time of the year, has already set a few records Island fires A fire also broke out Sunday in an industrial zone in Ritsona, near the island of Evia. Black smoke has filled the sky above Ritsona after the fire started in a recycling factory, burning various flammable materials that were in the grounds around it, including tyres and mattresses. Firefighters are positioned along the old Ritsona national road and are fighting to prevent the flames from spreading beyond the recycling plant to other factories in the area. The fire is also near a refugee centre, but the Athens News Agency reported that this was not believed to be in danger. Separately, a large wildfire broke out on Serifos island on Saturday afternoon, but was also brought under control by firefighters early Sunday. "All of southwestern Serifos has burned. We are talking about an area where the fire stopped at the sea," Serifos mayor Konstantinos Revintis told MEGA TV. The fire caused damage to houses, cottages, warehouses and chapels, according to the mayor. The Fire Danger Forecast Map issued for Sunday by the Civil Protection Ministry predicted a very high category 4 risk of fire for Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete, the North and South Aegean Regions, and central Greece. A wildfire ignited Saturday afternoon in the area of Mount Parnitha-- known as "the lungs of Athens" -- was controlled Saturday evening with the help of reinforcements from other regions as well as volunteer firefighters. More than forty wildfires erupted across Saturday in Greece with wind speeds exceeding 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour, according to fire brigade sources. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on Greeks to brace for a difficult wildfire season in his weekly Facebook post on Sunday. "The difficult times are still ahead of us. Our effort is continuous. In this effort, our allies are new tools that build a new culture of prevention and responsibility," he said.

Greece fights dozens of wildfires in 'most difficult day of year'

Greece wildfires Update: Firefighters battle new wildfire near Athens

Wildfires are common in Greece but they have become more devastating in recent years amid hotter and drier summers that scientists link to climate change. Watch in for more details!

Devastating wildfire wreaks havoc in Greece

Dozens of firefighters in Greece on Saturday (June 29) were battling to stop a wildfire from spreading to a nature reserve in a mountainous forest area north of Athens.

Dozens of firefighters in Greece on Saturday (June 29) were battling to stop a wildfire from spreading to a nature reserve in a mountainous forest area north of Athens. A report by the news agency Reuters said that about 80 firefighters assisted by 12 water-carrying planes were trying to control the fire on Mount Parnitha, some 12 kilometres north of Athens, which was being fuelled by gale-force winds. Addressing a press conference, fire brigade spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said that sizeable forces on the ground were fighting a huge fire. "Gusts of wind exceeding 100 km per hour were hampering their efforts," Vathrakogiannis said. He added that another 100 firefighters stationed elsewhere in Greece were expected to join those already working at the scene. Authorities advise people to stay indoors Reuters reported that with hot, windy conditions across much of Greece, some 40 landscape fires broke out since the early morning hours on Saturday and authorities advised people to stay out of forest areas. A message was sent to people in nearby areas (of Mount Parnitha) via the emergency number 112 to be on standby due to the fire. A report by the news agency AFP, meanwhile, said that the Fire Danger Forecast Map issued for Sunday by the Civil Protection Ministry predicted a high risk of fire (category 4) for Attica, the Peloponnese, Crete, the North and South Aegean Regions, and Central Greece. Wildfires have become more devastating in Greece Wildfires are common in Greece but have become more devastating in recent years as summers have become hotter, drier, and windier. In 2023, a fierce two-week heatwave was followed by devastating wildfires in which 20 people died. The fire consumed nearly 432,000 acres of forest and farmland, according to the government. (With inputs from agencies)

Dozens of firefighters in Greece battle to stop wildfire ignited north of Athens

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens.

The crew will go on trial on Wednesday on charges of starting a criminal fire, according to the ERT public television.

The crew may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros ($214,000) under a recently strengthened law, which has brought attention to the case due to a recent spike in wildfires.

The crew disputed the claims, and prosecutors will not arrest the 17 Kazakh passengers who were on the boat when the fireworks went off on Friday night, according to ERT.

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According to the Civil Protection Service, some of the fireworks fell on the island of Hydra and caused a fire that destroyed roughly 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine forest.

At the hearing on Sunday, the captain of a neighbouring ship who witnessed the fireworks being set off was reportedly questioned.

At the beginning of the summer season, scores of wildfires have left at least one dead and severely damaged resorts and the Greek countryside.

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Extreme caution has been advised by the public protection agency due to the "very high" potential of fires, especially in the Attica area, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece.

Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally.

The disastrous fires of 2023, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece.

(With inputs from agencies)

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens.

According to media reports, Greek authorities indicted 13 members of a luxury yacht's crew on Sunday (June 23) for allegedly setting off fireworks that resulted in a significant blaze on an island close to Athens. The crew will go on trial on Wednesday on charges of starting a criminal fire, according to the ERT public television. The crew may face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 euros ($214,000) under a recently strengthened law, which has brought attention to the case due to a recent spike in wildfires. The crew disputed the claims, and prosecutors will not arrest the 17 Kazakh passengers who were on the boat when the fireworks went off on Friday night, according to ERT. Also read: Greece's summer tragedy: Record heat wave ignites wildfires, closes Acropolis, and claims tourists' lives According to the Civil Protection Service, some of the fireworks fell on the island of Hydra and caused a fire that destroyed roughly 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine forest. At the hearing on Sunday, the captain of a neighbouring ship who witnessed the fireworks being set off was reportedly questioned. At the beginning of the summer season, scores of wildfires have left at least one dead and severely damaged resorts and the Greek countryside. Watch | Greece closes ancient tourist sites amid heatwave, strong winds expected to hit × Extreme caution has been advised by the public protection agency due to the "very high" potential of fires, especially in the Attica area, the Peloponnese peninsula, and central Greece. Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally. The disastrous fires of 2023, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece: Luxury yacht crew faces trial for causing wildfire near Athens with illegal fireworks

Even though summer is only getting started in the Northern Hemisphere, Greece is already experiencing an unheard-of heat wave that is causing wildfires to rage across the nation, visitors to pass out and die, and midday closures of the main tourist attractions.

Warm air from North Africa has caused record-breaking temperatures in Southern Europe. The Athens National Observatory reports that last week's highs in Athens exceeded 107°F, with Crete hitting 112°F and the Peloponnese peninsula hitting 111°F.

In recent weeks, at least five visitors have died or disappeared in Greece, including well-known British TV doctor and journalist Michael Mosley.

American visitor Toby Sheets was discovered dead on a beach on island west of Corfu on Sunday. The day before, the bones of a Dutch tourist were found on the Greek island of Samos in the east, and an American tourist went missing more than a week ago. He went for a trek and didn't come back, assumed to have died due to heat.

Greece's economy, which depends heavily on foreign tourists, has not been spared. The Greek Ministry of Culture declared this week that the Acropolis, the most famous ancient monument in the country overlooking the city, will be closed in the afternoon heat.

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Similar regulations were implemented last summer, but they weren't effective until July. The early closure this year was prompted by an incident in which a visitor passed out while awaiting a permit to enter the 3,300-year-old monument, highlighting the risks associated with extreme heat.&nbsp;

"The early start of the heat waves, combined with the dry winter, has led to a very difficult fire season," Greece's minister for civil protection, Vassilis Kikilias, stated. He claimed that the risk of wildfires, which authorities are finding difficult to suppress, was greatly heightened by the combination of high temperatures and strong winds. According to Kikilias, "a new fire breaks out almost every 10 minutes."

Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally. The disastrous fires of last summer, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece.

"Even the smallest fire can rapidly turn into a fiery front," Kikilias added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Even though summer is only getting started in the Northern Hemisphere, Greece is already experiencing an unheard-of heat wave that is causing wildfires to rage across the nation, visitors to pass out and die, and midday closures of the main tourist attractions.

Even though summer is only getting started in the Northern Hemisphere, Greece is already experiencing an unheard-of heat wave that is causing wildfires to rage across the nation, visitors to pass out and die, and midday closures of the main tourist attractions. Warm air from North Africa has caused record-breaking temperatures in Southern Europe. The Athens National Observatory reports that last week's highs in Athens exceeded 107°F, with Crete hitting 112°F and the Peloponnese peninsula hitting 111°F. In recent weeks, at least five visitors have died or disappeared in Greece, including well-known British TV doctor and journalist Michael Mosley. American visitor Toby Sheets was discovered dead on a beach on island west of Corfu on Sunday. The day before, the bones of a Dutch tourist were found on the Greek island of Samos in the east, and an American tourist went missing more than a week ago. He went for a trek and didn't come back, assumed to have died due to heat. Greece's economy, which depends heavily on foreign tourists, has not been spared. The Greek Ministry of Culture declared this week that the Acropolis, the most famous ancient monument in the country overlooking the city, will be closed in the afternoon heat. Also read: Hajj pilgrims death: 98 Indians die amid day temperature soaring above 50 degrees Similar regulations were implemented last summer, but they weren't effective until July. The early closure this year was prompted by an incident in which a visitor passed out while awaiting a permit to enter the 3,300-year-old monument, highlighting the risks associated with extreme heat. "The early start of the heat waves, combined with the dry winter, has led to a very difficult fire season," Greece's minister for civil protection, Vassilis Kikilias, stated. He claimed that the risk of wildfires, which authorities are finding difficult to suppress, was greatly heightened by the combination of high temperatures and strong winds. According to Kikilias, "a new fire breaks out almost every 10 minutes." Greece's islands and mainland have seen a plethora of fires, some of which are thought to have been started intentionally. The disastrous fires of last summer, which forced thousands of people to flee Rhodes, have put the nation on high alert for this summer. The hot and dry weather will be made worse by gusts of up to 46 miles per hour, according to the National Meteorological Service of Greece. "Even the smallest fire can rapidly turn into a fiery front," Kikilias added. (With inputs from agencies)

Greece's summer tragedy: Record heat wave ignites wildfires, closes Acropolis, and claims tourists' lives

Greek authorities have been accused of pushing asylum seekers and migrants to their deaths in the Mediterranean Sea over the last three years, according to an investigation by UK broadcaster BBC. The report, based on statements by witnesses, reveals more than 40 people have died following illegal pushbacks by Greek coastguard from Greek islands or waters. In a few cases, migrants were thrown in water allegedly with their hands tied, the report claimed.

<h2>Migrants put on punctured rafts</h2>

BBC analysed 15 such incidents that took place between May 2020 and 2023 that ended up killing 43 people in and around Greek waters.

It found that migrants were directly thrown into the sea in at least five incidents. In four cases, the migrants were put on punctured and sinking inflatable rafts without motors.

"They wanted me to die,” BBC quoted a Somalian man who was caught by Greek authorities on the island of Chios as saying. “They threw me zip-tied in the middle of the sea," he added.

A Syrian man, Mohamed, told the broadcaster that&nbsp;Greek authorities had left "seven to eight" children to die on a sinking raft in September 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj-tdLJxOKGAxXLb2wGHWBaC484ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-greece-wants-to-be-the-gateway-of-india-into-europe-minister-tells-wion-692892" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-greece-wants-to-be-the-gateway-of-india-into-europe-minister-tells-wion-692892&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj-tdLJxOKGAxXLb2wGHWBaC484ChDF9AEoAHoECAcQAQ">Exclusive: Greece wants to be the gateway of India into Europe, minister tells WION</a>

Mohamed himself was dropped in Turkish waters after being put in life rafts, only to discover later that the raft was sinking as its valve was not closed properly.

“They heard us all screaming, and yet they still left us,” he was quoted as saying by BBC.

“The first child who died was my cousin’s son… After that it was one by one. Another child, another child, then my cousin himself disappeared. By the morning seven or eight children had died.

“My kids didn’t die until the morning… right before the Turkish coastguard arrived.”

<h2>Undercover agents</h2>

Migrants are legally entitled to seek asylum in Greece, and special centres have been erected on several Greek islands to help migrants register their claims.

Watch:&nbsp;Greece migrant boat tragedy: A survivor's tale of 2023 boat disaster

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However, in the incidents analysed by BBC, all of the migrants were caught before they could reach these special centres by non-uniformed, masked and apparently undercover agents.

<h2>Response by Greek Coastguard</h2>

Greek Coastguard has vehemently denied these claims. It highlighted how it rescued 250,834 refugees/migrants in 6,161 incidents at sea in the past nine years.

“It should be highlighted that from 2015 to 2024, the Hellenic Coast Guard has rescued 250,834 refugees/migrants in 6,161 incidents at sea. The impeccable execution of this noble mission has been positively recognised by the international community,” the coastguard said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Greek authorities have been accused of pushing asylum seekers and migrants to their deaths in the Mediterranean Sea over the last three years, according to an investigation by UK broadcaster BBC.

Greek authorities have been accused of pushing asylum seekers and migrants to their deaths in the Mediterranean Sea over the last three years, according to an investigation by UK broadcaster BBC. The report, based on statements by witnesses, reveals more than 40 people have died following illegal pushbacks by Greek coastguard from Greek islands or waters. In a few cases, migrants were thrown in water allegedly with their hands tied, the report claimed. Migrants put on punctured rafts BBC analysed 15 such incidents that took place between May 2020 and 2023 that ended up killing 43 people in and around Greek waters. It found that migrants were directly thrown into the sea in at least five incidents. In four cases, the migrants were put on punctured and sinking inflatable rafts without motors. "They wanted me to die,” BBC quoted a Somalian man who was caught by Greek authorities on the island of Chios as saying. “They threw me zip-tied in the middle of the sea," he added. A Syrian man, Mohamed, told the broadcaster that Greek authorities had left "seven to eight" children to die on a sinking raft in September 2020. Also read: Exclusive: Greece wants to be the gateway of India into Europe, minister tells WION Mohamed himself was dropped in Turkish waters after being put in life rafts, only to discover later that the raft was sinking as its valve was not closed properly. “They heard us all screaming, and yet they still left us,” he was quoted as saying by BBC. “The first child who died was my cousin’s son… After that it was one by one. Another child, another child, then my cousin himself disappeared. By the morning seven or eight children had died. “My kids didn’t die until the morning… right before the Turkish coastguard arrived.” Undercover agents Migrants are legally entitled to seek asylum in Greece, and special centres have been erected on several Greek islands to help migrants register their claims. Watch: Greece migrant boat tragedy: A survivor's tale of 2023 boat disaster × However, in the incidents analysed by BBC, all of the migrants were caught before they could reach these special centres by non-uniformed, masked and apparently undercover agents. Response by Greek Coastguard Greek Coastguard has vehemently denied these claims. It highlighted how it rescued 250,834 refugees/migrants in 6,161 incidents at sea in the past nine years. “It should be highlighted that from 2015 to 2024, the Hellenic Coast Guard has rescued 250,834 refugees/migrants in 6,161 incidents at sea. The impeccable execution of this noble mission has been positively recognised by the international community,” the coastguard said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Greek coastguard threw migrants into sea after tying their hands: Report

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered a mysterious&nbsp;4,000-year-old circular structure on a hilltop that may have been&nbsp;used for ancient Minoan rituals. The structure comprises&nbsp;eight superimposed stone rings with small walls intersecting them to form rooms.&nbsp;

A report by LiveScience on Thursday (June 13) said that the structure&nbsp;measures 157 feet in diameter, and was discovered about 51 kilometres&nbsp;southeast of Heraklion while&nbsp;construction workers were installing a surveillance radar system for a new airport.&nbsp;

Based on the style&nbsp;of pottery fragments discovered during the excavation, archaeologists have tentatively dated the building to 2000 BC to 1700 BC, in the middle of the Minoan civilization, LiveScience reported.

<h2>Building unlikely to have been used as residence</h2>

A statement from Greece's culture ministry said that the building was&nbsp;unlikely to have been used as a residence.&nbsp;

The building near the town of Kastelli&nbsp;appears to have had&nbsp;two main zones-&nbsp;a circular building with a diameter of 49 feet at the very centre and an area created by the walls radiating out from it.&nbsp;

The site has been earmarked&nbsp;for a radar station to serve a new airport under construction near&nbsp;Kastelli. The airport, which is set to open in 2027, is projected&nbsp;to replace Greece’s second-biggest airport at Heraklion.

The airport will be designed to&nbsp;handle up to 18 million travellers annually.

Meanwhile, the culture ministry said that so far, at least another 35 archaeological sites have been uncovered during work on the new Kastelli airport and its road connections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered a mysterious 4,000-year-old circular structure on a hilltop that may have been used for ancient Minoan rituals. The structure comprises eight superimposed stone rings with small walls intersecting them to form rooms.

Archaeologists in Greece have discovered a mysterious 4,000-year-old circular structure on a hilltop that may have been used for ancient Minoan rituals. The structure comprises eight superimposed stone rings with small walls intersecting them to form rooms. A report by LiveScience on Thursday (June 13) said that the structure measures 157 feet in diameter, and was discovered about 51 kilometres southeast of Heraklion while construction workers were installing a surveillance radar system for a new airport. Based on the style of pottery fragments discovered during the excavation, archaeologists have tentatively dated the building to 2000 BC to 1700 BC, in the middle of the Minoan civilization, LiveScience reported. Building unlikely to have been used as residence A statement from Greece's culture ministry said that the building was unlikely to have been used as a residence. The building near the town of Kastelli appears to have had two main zones- a circular building with a diameter of 49 feet at the very centre and an area created by the walls radiating out from it. The site has been earmarked for a radar station to serve a new airport under construction near Kastelli. The airport, which is set to open in 2027, is projected to replace Greece’s second-biggest airport at Heraklion. The airport will be designed to handle up to 18 million travellers annually. Meanwhile, the culture ministry said that so far, at least another 35 archaeological sites have been uncovered during work on the new Kastelli airport and its road connections. (With inputs from agencies)

4,000-year-old structure in Greece may have been used for ancient Minoan rituals

Yemen's Houthis on Friday said they targeted two vessels in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, but there was no independent confirmation of the purported attacks.

Greece-owned coal carrier attacked by Yemeni Houthi militants

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday to boost the government's battle with a cost-of-living crisis, but kept his foreign and finance ministers in place to show policy continuity.

Greek PM Mitsotakis reshuffles his cabinet

Residents and tourists in Athens sought relief in the sea as Greece continues to swelter under unseasonably high temperatures. The temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees celsius in much of central and southern Greece, including greater Athens, the cyclades islands and crete.

Greece closes ancient tourist sites amid heatwave, strong winds expected to hit

Tourists worldwide are disappointed as Greek authorities closed the famous Acropolis site in Athens due to rising temperatures. Now decision was made as temperatures were expected to reach a scorching 39° C in the Greek Capital.

Greece: Acropolis closed due to scorching temperature; Athens reach 39 degree celsius

Athens Acropolis closes due to heatwave

Tourists worldwide are disappointed as Greek authorities closed the famous Acropolis archaeological site in Athens due to soaring temperatures. The decision was made as the temperatures were expected to reach a scorching 39° C in the Greek Capital.

Greece: Athens Acropolis closes due to heatwave

In the face of Russia's war on Ukraine - Poland and Greece have called the European Union to create an air defence sheild to better protect the block.

Poland & Greece propose creation of European Air Defence shield

Charges against nine Egyptian men accused over a 2023 migrant boat disaster off Greece were dropped on Tuesday, after a Greek court said it had no jurisdiction to hear the case as the shipwreck happened in international waters.

The men, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested hours after the boat sank and have remained in pre-trial detention since on charges of migrant smuggling, causing a shipwreck and participating in a criminal organisation. They have denied any wrongdoing.

The trial of nine Egyptian men accused of causing a shipwreck that killed hundreds of migrants off Greece last year began amid protests on Tuesday in the city of Kalamata.

Up to 700 migrants from Pakistan, Syria and Egypt boarded a fishing trawler in Libya that was bound for Italy but sank off the coast of Pylos, in southwestern Greece, on June 14. Some 104 survivors were rescued and 82 bodies were recovered in one of the deadliest boat accidents in the Mediterranean.

The Egyptian men, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested hours after the boat sank and have remained in police custody on charges of migrant smuggling, causing a shipwreck and participating in a criminal organisation. They deny any wrongdoing.

But international rights groups, defence lawyers and witnesses dispute that the men were to blame. Many claim that the coastguard was at fault, which it denies.

"What is ... unbearable is to convict a person for acts that he never committed and to paint his hands with blood through your own acts," defence lawyer Efi Doussi told journalists last week.

Early on Tuesday, the men, some of them wearing shirts, were brought into a packed courtroom as relatives, witnesses, and supporters watched from a distance.

Outside the court, protesters in support of the defendants briefly scuffled with police who had cordoned off the area.

"This crime will not be forgotten," protesters chanted. "We will become the voices of the dead."

Survivors told Reuters last year that a disastrous attempt by the coastguard to tow the boat caused it to capsize in some of the deepest waters in the Mediterranean.

Defence lawyers said the men were charged after a rushed investigation and on insufficient evidence. They accuse the coastguard of monitoring the vessel for hours before launching a rescue operation and that the coastguard tried to pull the boat into Italian waters. The coastguard has denied the accusations and has said that the those aboard the boat refused help.

Charges against nine Egyptian men accused over a 2023 migrant boat disaster off Greece were dropped on Tuesday, after a Greek court said it had no jurisdiction to hear the case as the shipwreck happened in international waters.

Charges against nine Egyptian men accused over a 2023 migrant boat disaster off Greece were dropped on Tuesday, after a Greek court said it had no jurisdiction to hear the case as the shipwreck happened in international waters. The men, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested hours after the boat sank and have remained in pre-trial detention since on charges of migrant smuggling, causing a shipwreck and participating in a criminal organisation. They have denied any wrongdoing. The trial of nine Egyptian men accused of causing a shipwreck that killed hundreds of migrants off Greece last year began amid protests on Tuesday in the city of Kalamata. Up to 700 migrants from Pakistan, Syria and Egypt boarded a fishing trawler in Libya that was bound for Italy but sank off the coast of Pylos, in southwestern Greece, on June 14. Some 104 survivors were rescued and 82 bodies were recovered in one of the deadliest boat accidents in the Mediterranean. The Egyptian men, aged between 21 and 41, were arrested hours after the boat sank and have remained in police custody on charges of migrant smuggling, causing a shipwreck and participating in a criminal organisation. They deny any wrongdoing. But international rights groups, defence lawyers and witnesses dispute that the men were to blame. Many claim that the coastguard was at fault, which it denies. "What is ... unbearable is to convict a person for acts that he never committed and to paint his hands with blood through your own acts," defence lawyer Efi Doussi told journalists last week. Early on Tuesday, the men, some of them wearing shirts, were brought into a packed courtroom as relatives, witnesses, and supporters watched from a distance. Outside the court, protesters in support of the defendants briefly scuffled with police who had cordoned off the area. "This crime will not be forgotten," protesters chanted. "We will become the voices of the dead." Survivors told Reuters last year that a disastrous attempt by the coastguard to tow the boat caused it to capsize in some of the deepest waters in the Mediterranean. Defence lawyers said the men were charged after a rushed investigation and on insufficient evidence. They accuse the coastguard of monitoring the vessel for hours before launching a rescue operation and that the coastguard tried to pull the boat into Italian waters. The coastguard has denied the accusations and has said that the those aboard the boat refused help.

Charges dropped against nine men over 2023 migrant shipwreck off Greece

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