Greek Firestorm Closes In on Olympia

Posted on Aug 26, 2007

AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris

The statue of Winged Victory stands in front of smoke from fires in the village of ancient Olympia near the birthplace of the Olympic Games, in southwestern Greece. A massive effort by firefighters has so far succeeded in keeping a raging blaze away from the 2,800-year-old site.

Wildfires are threatening Olympia, birthplace of the Olympics and home to some of Greece’s most precious archaeological treasures, including relics from the Temple of Zeus. Authorities are battling fires throughout the country, and dozens of people have been killed.

BBC:

Flames licked the edges of the original Olympic stadium and scorched the yard of the museum, home to one of Greece’s greatest archaeological collections.

Fires have ravaged large parts of Greece, affecting the Peloponnese, areas around Athens and Evia island.

On Sunday five bodies were found on Evia, bringing the death toll to 56.

Read more

Elsewhere: .

Are you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig.