Ancient Olympia town and surrounding areas ordered to evacuate during fire

Locals and tourists have been evacuated as fires continue to rage near the city of Corinth in the eastern Peloponnese for a second day.

The city's mayor says the flames are out of control and has called for a state of emergency to be declared in the region.

More than 260 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze, with 10 helicopters and 10 planes assisting.

"Even though almost all the aerial firefighting equipment is operating in the area, the situation is not under control," Mayor Vassilis Nanopoulos informed local media.

At Iraklia, 95 firefighters and 31 fire engines with 4 ground teams are battling the blaze, assisted by 4 aircraft and 2 helicopters.

Police added that traffic is banned on the Tripoli Pyrgos national tollway from the 124th km to the 130th km.

Protecting the museum

All that can be done to protect the museum of Ancient Olympia and the archaeological site from the raging fires in the area where the Olympic Games started is being done, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said late on Wednesday.

At the site, the minister said that "the fire protection system works properly, while the Fire Brigade and Civil Protection are fully coordinated and opening fire zones," she said.