Thousands of residents and tourists are fleeing as massive wildfires rip across the Greek countryside near Athens, torching homes and farmland. Officials report at least 800 people evacuated from villages and coastal areas as firefighters battle towering flames driven by high winds and extreme heat.

A wildfire on the island of Crete that forced the evacuation of 5,000 tourists and locals is "retreating," Greek firefighters told AFP on Friday, but a new blaze fanned by strong winds is spreading east of the capital,