The greater Athens area, particularly the working-class western districts, have been choking on toxic fumes as a result of a still smoldering fire at an abandoned recycling plant in the Aspropyrgos district, west of Athens proper.

The distinct and unpleasant smell of burnt plastic was evident in much of western Athens on Tuesday.

According to authorities, the only way to stop the fire is to cover it with dirt, something that requires … funding, which so far has not been made available.

The fire engulfed the abandoned plant when a wildfire began in a neighboring lot.