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Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

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      Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

      2024-08-12 19:16 Last Updated At:20:07

      Greek authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 30,000 residents in the historic town of Marathon in the northeastern Attica region on Sunday due to a fast-moving wildfire outside Athens fueled by hot and windy weather.

      Residents of Marathon -- the birthplace of the Marathon race -- were asked to move towards the neighboring beach town of Nea Makri, according to the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, following the evacuation of six settlements in the area.

      Facilities of the Athens Olympic Athletic Center -- the main venue of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, approximately 30 kilometers from Marathon -- were opened to host many of the evacuees overnight, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.

      Eight people were transferred to hospitals, mainly for respiratory problems, according to the latest information provided by health ministry officials.

      Meanwhile, firefighters were trying to contain the front which extends several kilometers in the northeastern Attica region, according to the fire brigade.

      A China Global Television Network (CGTN) correspondent on Monday morning reached a station about five to six hundred meters away from one of the fire fronts, where helicopters were retrieving water to help extinguish the flames from above.

      The correspondent reported that firefighters and volunteers were battling against the wildfire but faced immense challenges due to the extent of the fire and because winds continued to pick up.

      The fire broke out around 15:00 local time (1200 GMT) on Sunday in Varnavas, around 35 kilometers from Athens. It spread quickly, fueled by hot and windy weather, and thick plumes of smoke from the blaze have covered a large part of Athens.

      Smoke has also reached as far as about 100 kilometers from Varnavas, a settlement near Marathon, due to strong winds, which reached up to eight on the Beaufort scale, according to Greek meteorologists.

      Approximately 400 firefighters supported by 29 water-dropping airplanes and helicopters, 110 fire engines, military squads and many volunteers have been working to contain the front, fire brigade spokesperson Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told a press briefing in Athens.

      According to Vathrakogiannis, the blazes continue to spread between residences, expanding "like lightning" due to gale-force winds. Flames as high as 25 meters have swallowed up trees and shrubland.

      Authorities have advised residents in surrounding regions to remain on alert as high temperatures may increase fire risk.

      Following a winter that was the warmest on record and a period of prolonged drought, Greece also experienced its hottest June and July and is forecast to record its hottest-ever summer.

      Greece experiences numerous wildfires each summer in connection to heatwaves and arson. This year, two people have lost their lives in wildfires, while 20 were reported dead last year.

      Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

      Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

      Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

      Raging wildfire forces more than 30,000 residents to evacuate in Greece

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      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

      2025-01-22 06:36 Last Updated At:07:27

      Various activities were held worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.

      Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Niigata of Japan, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater, delivered a spectacular visual feast for the overseas Chinese and Japanese audiences in Sendai.

      The performance, featuring the elements of Dunhuang culture and the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, attracted about 2,000 spectators. Many Japanese people praised the colorful Chinese culture and expressed their hope to go to China to see with their own eyes and understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival.

      "It's the first time I've seen such a performance. It's so gorgeous. I'm really touched. This Spring Festival event is also an opportunity for Japan and China to further develop friendly relations. If there is any chance for a performance like this in the future, I would like to come and watch it. I also really want to travel to China now," said a Japanese audience member.

      "Happy to know that cultural heritage like the Spring Festival was included on the Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage, I think it's great to be able to celebrate such a festival in Japan. I really hope everyone can take a look and learn about the Spring Festival," said another audience member.

      "We want to invite performers from Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater to present Dunhuang-themed music and dance which is full of Silk Road cultural elements. This will allow local people to see the mutual learning between Chinese and Japanese civilizations," said Cui Weilei, Consul-General of China in Niigata.

      Budapest's Chinatown was alive with energy on Saturday as the streets were filled with music, dance, and the aroma of traditional Chinese delicacies during a two-day Spring Festival celebration.

      The "Happy Chinese New Year" Temple Fair brought together numerous visitors and performers to usher in the upcoming Year of the Snake. They enjoyed the magnificent dragon and lion dances, ethnic performances, sugar-figure blowing, calligraphy demonstrations, and the unique experience of wearing traditional attire Hanfu.

      "We come here because we have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and Chinese traditions, and a special interest in Chinese music. I think the most important part of Chinese culture is Chinese food because the best way to bring people from all over the world together is to sit around a table and eat together," said a resident in Budapest.

      Colorful celebrations and Spring Festival receptions were also held at many Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.

      By showcasing Spring Festival customs and intangible cultural heritage, these events allowed local communities to experience the festive vibes of the Spring Festival up close.

      In Dubai, over 1,000 performers and artists from around the world came together to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern art through a rich variety of performances, drawing a large number of audience. The airing of the Spring Festival Gala promotional video by China Media Group also became a highlight of the evening.

      A reception was held Wednesday evening in Cairo by the Chinese embassy in Egypt to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.

      Around 600 attendees including Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, Ahmed Shaheen, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand affairs, representatives of the Egyptian government and people from all walks of life were gathered.

      "On the occasion of the coming of the Spring Festival, I would like to send my sincerest wishes to dear Chinese friends," said Shaheen in a speech.

      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

      Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide

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