Fire puts archaeological site of Ancient Olympia at risk

Wildfires rekindled outside Athens and forced more evacuations around southern Greece on Thursday as weather conditions worsened and firefighters in a round-the-clock battle stopped the flames just outside the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.

As additional support arrived from Greece's military and European Union countries, water-dropping planes and helicopters swooped over blazes near the capital, on the island of Evia, and near Ancient Olympia to the south.

Large forces were deployed to protect the archaeological site in the west of the Peloponnese peninsula.

Ancient Olympia, usually crowded with tourists, was evacuated on Wednesday, along with six other nearby settlements.

The fires have not caused any deaths or serious injuries.

But Greek scientists said the total destruction in just three days this month in Greece exceeded 50% of the average area burned in the country in previous years.

The causes of the Greek wildfires were unclear, but authorities say human error and carelessness are most frequently to blame.

However, arson was suspected in the blaze near Ancient Olympia, with officials noting that seven fires broke out in quick succession in the region on Wednesday.