At least five people were rescued by a ferry as it was approaching the port of Rafina, north-east of Athens.
Speaking to private SKAI TV, the captain of the ferry said that the group of Athenians jumped into the sea to save themselves from the forest fire that is devastating the sea-side resorts of Rafina and Mati.
Vessels of the Hellenic Navy have been ordered to approach the fire-stricken areas to extract people who are trapped on the beaches.