Thousands of residents and tourists are fleeing as massive wildfires rip across the Greek countryside near Athens, torching homes and farmland. Officials report at least 800 people evacuated from villages and coastal areas as firefighters battle towering flames driven by high winds and extreme heat.

The new wildfire broke out at Koropi, a town some 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Athens, where residents received text messages from civil protection units urging them to evacuate