Fire forces evacuations on Greek island of Evia

A large fire broke out yesterday on the Greek island of Evia near Athens, the government said, with two villages evacuated, less than a month after more than 90 people died in Greece’s worst-ever wildfire.“The prime minister is in close contact with the interior minister over the large fire in Evia,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ office said.Agriculture minister Vangelis Apostolou, who is on the scene, told state agency ANA that fire-fighting forces were bracing for an all-night struggle. “Forces from the entire region have been transferred here.”Some 500 people at the local villages of Kontodespoti and Stavros had earlier been evacuated as a precaution.Some 250 firefighters with 62 fire engines supported by troops are operating in the area, 92km north of Athens, officials said.Greece is still mourning 94 dead from a wildfire that struck the coastal resort of Mati near Athens on July 23.More than 30 people are still in hospital, several in critical condition.