Wildfires reach outskirts of Athens during scorching heatwave

Residents north of Greek capital evacuated, while 42C heat forces Acropolis to reduce opening hours

Thousands of people have fled their homes north of Athens after a forest wildfire reached residential areas. The hurried evacuations took place just as Greece grappled with its worst heatwave in decades.

The blaze sent a huge cloud of smoke over Athens and prompted multiple evacuations near Tatoi, 13 miles to the north. Residents left their homes in cars and on motorcycles, heading toward the capital in a blanket of smoke.