How Greece’s neglected power grid fuels wildfire destruction


FILE PHOTO: Local residents watch as a wildfire burns in Keratea, near Athens, Greece, August 8, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas/File Photo

ATHENS (Reuters) -When Greek firefighters investigated the cause of a deadly wildfire near the Athens Riviera in August, they found a familiar culprit: a loose power cable whose sparks were blown across a field of dry grass in a windstorm.

The investigators' report, seen by Reuters, said the cable near the town of Keratea showed signs of oxidation and improper maintenance. Within hours, the blaze had killed one person and burned 4,000 acres (16 square km) of land abutting tourist beaches south of the capital.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries damaged by Ukrainian drones, official says
Bus falls into river while boarding ferry in Bangladesh, leaving 24 dead
Analysis-Maduro case to test US narcoterrorism law with limited trial success
Panel wants prosecution of ousted Nepal PM over violence in Gen Z protests
Indonesia military officer steps down following acid attack on activist
Tehran rejects US claims of ‘ongoing, productive’ negotiations
Russian attacks kill two in Ukraine's Kharkiv, damage infrastructure on the Danube
Democrats, Republicans trade blame as major U.S. airports continue to see hours-long security lines
U.S. stocks finish higher on reports over Middle East
From the Frontline: Shattered life inside a forgotten train carriage

Others Also Read