Wildfires hit Greece's Achaea

Firefighters were battling wildfires that broke out on two fronts on Wednesday in the forest areas in Greece's Achaea region, more than 200 km west of the capital Athens, reported Xinhua.

Several dozen residents in neighboring communities from the two fire fronts were told to leave their homes, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

In Erymanthos municipality, a total of 95 firefighters, assisted by six aircraft and two helicopters, were operating against the blaze that began in the afternoon.

On the outskirts of Patras, firefighters have ordered the evacuation of two settlements near the village of Elekistra, where another fire broke out earlier. Police also closed the Patras ring road.

Four people have been transferred to local hospitals with respiratory problems, the AMNA reported.

According to the National Meteorological Service, a severe heatwave is expected to sweep through Greece from Thursday. Temperatures in some places are forecast to skyrocket to 43 degrees Celsius, increasing fire risks.