Wildfire forces asylum seekers from Greece camp

A forest blaze forced officials to clear hundreds of asylum seekers from a reception camp on the Greek island of Chios on Sunday, the migration ministry said.

Chios, off Turkey's west coast, is a frequent landing point for migrants trying to reach Europe.

Civil Protection said more than a dozen nearby villages were also emptied as a precaution after the fire flared on Sunday morning.

About 100 firefighters, 30 fire engines, two water-bombers and 10 helicopters battled the flames, the fire service said.

Teams from Athens arrived by the afternoon to back local crews as strong winds fanned the blaze.

The fire service counted about 50 wildfires nationwide in the past 24 hours and warned that danger levels would remain "very high" through Monday.

Scientists say Greece's dry, windy summers and rising temperatures linked to climate change make the country especially prone to wildfires.