Thousands more flee wildfires outside Athens amid heatwave

Flames spread over a highway during a wildfire in Afidnes area (Aptopix/AP)

Thousands of residents have fled to safety from a wildfire that burned for a fourth day north of Athens as firefighters tried to stop the flames reaching populated areas, power stations and historic sites.

On the nearby island of Evia, the coast guard mounted a massive operation with patrol boats and private vessels to evacuate hundreds of people by sea.