A huge fire broke out between two monasteries at the monastic state of Mount Athos in Greece.
One of the most valuable monasteries of Athos – the Docheiariou monastery (Greek: Μονή Δοχειαρίου) , which has a very valuable library with hundreds of manuscripts and books, as well as wall paintings and icons by ancient masters, is threatened.
A large-scale operation is underway to extinguish the fire, in which three helicopters, three planes and 33 firefighters are involved.
The goal is to stop the fiery element before it reaches the walls of the monastery.
The fire broke out in cultivated land next to the monastery cloister and engulfed a dense forest that is in close proximity to the monastery.
There is no danger for the monks, as well as for the visitors of the Holy Mountain, reports the Civil Defense.