A military base in Greece has exploded because of the wildfires (Image: Getty)

       A military base in Greece has exploded after wildfires caused a warehouse full of ammunition to detonate.

       Authorities said several towns in the area had been forced to evacuate following the explosion which triggered a series of subsequent blasts.

       These secondary explosions were so strong they shattered windows in local houses.

       The explosion took place at an airbase around 12 miles from the city of Volos in eastern Greece.

       Speaking to AFP, Yannis Artopios, a spokesperson for the fire department, said: "Part of the ammunition warehouse at the air force barracks in Nea Anchialos is on fire and an explosion has taken place."

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       The fires have ripped through several Greek islands (Image: Getty)

       Mr Artopios added that seven aircraft and three helicopters were on the scene to put out fires in the area.

       The Greek airforce said the site, around four miles from the airbase, had been evacuated and that no one had been injured in the blast.

       Residents have been evacuated in recent days as a precautionary measure as Greece battles against wildfires triggered by a heatwave which, in turn, some experts say was triggered by climate change.

       Special aircraft are being used to fight the blaze (Image: Getty)

       The incident comes just days after tragedy struck two pilots who were trying to put out the wildfires that have devastated the country.

       The aircraft, which was being used to dump water on the flames, was filmed clipping a tree soon after it dropped water onto the fire.

       According to local media, the crash happened on the island of Evia, near the village of Karystos, close to Athens.

       After initially being described as missing, the two pilots on board the aircraft have now been identified.

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       The aircraft just before it hit the side of the ravine (Image: EPT News)

       The Greek Defence Ministry has named the pair as pilot Captain Christos Moulas, 34, and co-pilot Second Lieutenant Pericles Stefanidis, 27.

       In a statement, Nikos Dendias, Greece’s defence minister, said their deaths were "deeply saddening".

       Mr Dendias added: "Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues, to whom we extend our most sincere condolences."

       The tragedy has highlighted the cost being paid not just by the land, but by the people who are fighting to contain wildfires which have enveloped Greece’s islands.

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