Thousands evacuated near Greek capital Athens as major wildfire rages out of control

Thousands of people living around Athens fled their homes on Monday, including in the historic town of Marathon, as a huge wildfire front crept closer to the Greek capital despite "superhuman" efforts to contain the blaze, officials said.

Authorities ordered at least five more communities and two hospitals northeast of Athens to leave after eight nearby villages, including Marathon, were told to evacuate on Sunday.

Marathon Mayor Stergios Tsirkas said the town, which gave its name to the long-distance race that is the centerpiece of the Olympics, was facing a "biblical catastrophe".