EU member states are sending aid to Greece to help fight a huge forest fire raging in forests northeast of Athens.
The aid comes after the Greek government requested activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which helps EU countries in emergency situations.
According to media reports, the first helicopter from France will arrive on Monday evening.
Italy plans to send two fire-fighting planes by Tuesday at the latest and 75 firefighters with 25 vehicles are on their way from the Czech Republic.
A team from Moldova is already on site, while Turkey has also offered assistance and support is also expected from Spain.
In the afternoon, the fire reached the suburbs of Vrilissia and Penteli in northeastern Athens.
It was the first time a major fire had come so close to the Greek capital, experts said on television, with the blaze still raging about 11 kilometres from Athens city centre.
Stormy winds and gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour are expected until the evening, but the wind will probably die down for the time being during the night.
