At least one person died and homes and farmlands were destroyed as wildfires stoked by gale-force winds broke out across Greece on Friday, from the southern outskirts of the capital Athens to regions near Ancient Olympia.

Across the country, more than 50 agricultural and forest fires have broken out in the past 24 hours - one of the worst days this summer.

Aris Messinis, AFP Three people including two Vietnamese tourists have died in Greece as ferocious winds whipped up wildfires and disrupted ferry travel for tens of thousands of summer holidaymakers.

After hiring new firefighters and purchasing additional aircraft and drones, the country has reported a 34% decrease in burned areas since the start of 2025.

Greece, Turkey, and parts of Southern Europe are battling massive wildfires as the region experiences a significant heatwave.

A man has died as a major wildfire rages out of control south-east of Athens, fuelled by strong winds, the local fire service said on Friday. Fire service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis confirmed that an elderly man was found dead in his remote home.