Major Greece evacuation on holiday island after massive wildfires
More than 100 firefighters have been battling a large wildfire, with emergency services ordering the evacuation of a dozen areas
More than 100 firefighters supported by water-dropping helicopters and planes have been battling a large wildfire near the main town of the eastern Aegean island of Chios. Emergency services have ordered the evacuation of a dozen areas due to three separate fires that broke out on Sunday morning and mid-day near the town of Chios.
Strong winds have exacerbated the situation, causing the firefighters to struggle in containing what has now become one large blaze. The fire department has announced it will be sending an arson investigation team to the Greek island.
Reinforcements from Athens and the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki have been dispatched by ship to support the 100 firefighters already on the island. Ten water-dropping helicopters and two firefighting planes provided air support until nightfall, reports Bristol Live.
As daylight fell, local media footage and photos depicted firefighters combating towering flames burning through woodland and farmland. Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during its hot, dry summers, but authorities have stated that climate change is fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes.
In 2018, a massive fire engulfed the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in their homes and on roads as they attempted to escape. The tragedy resulted in more than 100 fatalities, including some who drowned trying to swim away from the flames.
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Telegraph
an hour ago
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Hundreds flee as wildfires rage across Greek holiday island
Wildfires have broken out on the Greek holiday island of Chios, with the authorities declaring a state of emergency and ordering residents to evacuate. Nearly 200 firefighters are trying to control the blazes, which are being whipped up by strong winds, and another 170 are being sent as reinforcements. A dozen helicopters and four planes capable of dumping water have been deployed to the area. Locals and tourists on the island in the northern Aegean have received mobile phone alerts ordering them to evacuate. Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the civil protection minister, said the decision to impose a state of emergency was made so that the authorities 'can immediately take the necessary measures'. Ms Kefalogiannis said the powerful winds, estimated at force six on the Beaufort scale, were making the situation 'very difficult'. 'If the wind dies down a bit, we might be able to get this fire under control. But the wind really hasn't dropped,' she said. The evacuation orders affect 16 villages and suburbs on the outskirts of Chios town, the main settlement. 'The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts, several of which are near hamlets,' said a Greek government spokesman. Firefighting teams are trying to prevent the blazes from spreading to rural areas known for producing mastiha, a natural resin harvested from mastic trees. On Sunday, about a dozen areas and hundreds of asylum seekers at a reception centre were forced to evacuate as the fires spread. Although wildfires are common in Greece during the summer, experts say global warming is producing bigger and more frequent conflagrations. In 2023, devastating forest fires broke out on the island of Rhodes, forcing 19,000 people to flee the island. Greece has hired a record 18,000 firefighters this year amid concerns that it faces a challenging fire season. A heatwave is predicted in the next few days, with temperatures of more than 40C (104F) expected, including in the capital Athens.
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Major wildfire on Greek island of Chios leads to evacuations - as officials warn 'situation remains critical'
Nearly 200 firefighters are battling a major wildfire on the Greek island of Chios. The fire started on Sunday in three separate locations near the main town, which is also called Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds and turned into one large blaze. Local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland as night fell. Power cuts have also been reported. Greek authorities sent fresh evacuation notifications for two areas near Chios town on Monday morning. Push alerts have been sent to mobile phones in the area urging people to evacuate a total of 16 villages, settlements and neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the town. "The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts, several of which being near hamlets," a Greek government spokesman said. The fire department said 190 firefighters were trying to control the fire on Monday, with strong winds hampering their efforts. Some 35 vehicles, five helicopters and two water-dropping planes were also involved in the effort. A specialist fire department arson investigation team has been sent to the eastern Aegean island to look into the causes. Wildfires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers but authorities have said climate change is fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. Last year, hundreds of tourists and residents were forced to flee wildfires on the holiday island of Kos.
Sky News
2 hours ago
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Major wildfire on Greek island of Chios prompts evacuations - as officials warn 'situation remains critical'
Nearly 200 firefighters are battling a major wildfire on the Greek island of Chios. The fire started on Sunday in three separate locations near the main town, which is also called Chios. The flames were fanned by strong winds and turned into one large blaze. Local media footage and photos showed firefighters battling towering flames burning through woodland and farmland as night fell. Power cuts have also been reported. Greek authorities sent fresh evacuation notifications for two areas near Chios town on Monday morning. Push alerts have been sent to mobile phones in the area urging people to evacuate a total of 16 villages, settlements and neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the town. "The situation remains critical as firefighting forces are still dealing with many active fronts, several of which being near hamlets," a Greek government spokesman said. The fire department said 190 firefighters were trying to control the fire on Monday, with strong winds hampering their efforts. Some 35 vehicles, five helicopters and two water-dropping planes were also involved in the effort. A specialist fire department arson investigation team has been sent to the eastern Aegean island to look into the causes. Wildfires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers but authorities have said climate change is fuelling bigger and more frequent blazes. Last year, hundreds of tourists and residents were forced to flee wildfires on the holiday island of Kos.
