Latest news with #ERTnews
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Greece asks EU for firefighting planes as blazes hit resorts
dpa Athens Fires broke out on Tuesday in several Greek regions, including popular holiday spots, moving the fire brigade to request EU help as all of its firefighting planes and helicopters were already in use. 'We have requested four firefighting planes from the EU's disaster relief agency,' fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told the broadcaster ERTnews on Tuesday. The Greek Civil Protection Ministry issued the second-highest fire warning level for approximately one-third of the country. The affected areas include almost the entire Peloponnese peninsula, the north-west coast of the country, the islands of Lesbos and Samos, as well as the Chalkidiki peninsula. The prolonged drought and, in some cases, strong winds have made the firefighting efforts more difficult. Smoke was visible on satellite images. Large fires are burning south-west of the port city of Patras on the Peloponnese peninsula, as well as on the island Kefalonia. Additional fires are raging on the island of Chios and near several villages in the north-west of the country. On Tuesday, houses on the Ionian island of Zakynthos were under threat from a major fire, according to the newspaper Kathimerini. The Civil Protection Ministry is urging citizens to exercise caution and avoid accidentally sparking fires.
DW
26-06-2025
- Climate
- DW
Greece: Wildfire erupts near Athens amid heat wave – DW – 06/26/2025
Greece is experiencing its first heat wave of the summer. A large wildfire broke out south of Athens, prompting evacuations as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius. Greek firefighters on Thursday battled a fast-moving wildfire that burned holiday homes and forest land near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia, 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Athens. "Right now, strong land and air forces are fighting a huge battle against the flames, mainly among homes," fire department spokesman Col. Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. He added that 12 water-dropping planes and 12 helicopters were providing air support to 80 fire engines and 130 firefighters, who were backed up by volunteer firefighters. The cause of the blaze is still unknown, but authorities say that high temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and strong winds are fueling its rapid spread. A fire department spokesman said an arson investigation unit had been sent to the area. According to a report by Greek broadcaster ERTnews, several vacation homes have been destroyed, and a large area of scrubland and forest is currently ablaze. The civil protection agency sent out emergency text alerts, telling residents to leave the affected coastal area near Palaia Fokaia. Vathrakogiannis said that Greek police had moved 40 people to safety. Meanwhile, the coast guard reported that two patrol boats and nine private vessels were on standby in the area in case an evacuation by sea was necessary. Authorities also reported that ambulances were on standby, though none had been needed by Thursday afternoon. According to Greek radio, police rescued 11 tourists from a holiday home in the danger zone. The fire department stated that the hotel complexes were not in immediate danger. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Wildfires are common in Greece during its hot, dry summers. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high Friday before the weather cooled down. The civil protection agency warned that small fires can transform into major blazes in a matter of minutes due to extreme heat, dry conditions, and high winds. Due to the weather conditions, the entire wider Athens area, as well as several Aegean islands, were on Level 4 of a 5-level scale for wildfire danger. Earlier this week, it took hundreds of firefighters four days to bring a major wildfire under control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Several people die in migrant boat accident near Greek island Lesbos
At least seven migrants have died in a boat accident in the strait between Turkey and the Greek island of Lesbos, Greek media reported on Thursday. Two children were among the dead, the Greek radio station ERTnews reported. Police said 23 people were rescued, but survivors said 31 people were on board the boat. A rescue operation is ongoing, the radio report said. According to initial findings by the coastguard, the people come from Afghanistan and Syria. Smugglers repeatedly attempt to transport migrants to Europe from the western coast of Turkey, Lebanon or Syria. For many, this journey ends tragically. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said at least 125 migrants died or went missing in the eastern Mediterranean in 2024, but the Greek coastguard suspect the number of unreported cases is much higher.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Riots follow massive demonstrations over Greek rail disaster
Riots erupted in the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki on Friday during mass demonstrations commemorating the deadly train accident in the small town of Tempi near Mount Olympus in 2023. Towards the end of a gathering of more than 170,000 people in Athens, demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails towards the special police units positioned around the parliament. There were also riots in Thessaloniki. Police described the rioters in Athens as between 500 and 700 "radicals." Police fired tear gas and used water cannon. There were 20 arrests, and 70 people were taken into custody. Thirteen people, including police officers, were taken to hospital with injuries, according to ERTnews, which cited rescue workers. The injuries included burns and respiratory problems, but none of the victims were in critical condition. People demand accountability The predominantly peaceful nationwide strikes and demonstrations were directed at the government. People are demanding clarification of the circumstances surrounding the accident in Tempi, to the south-west of Thessaloniki, in which 57 mainly young people lost their lives. The police estimated that several hundred thousand people took part in the demonstrations nationwide. Trade unions and opposition parties are accusing the government of a cover-up. Many people are demanding that politicians take responsibility. Demonstrators held up placards with slogans including "no cover up" and "we won't forget anything." Report finds serious errors This week, the first official report by the Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority was presented. It highlighted the dire state of Greece's railways and found serious investigative errors following the accident. The crash site was not properly mapped and fire services, rescue teams and police failed to coordinate effectively, the report found. It gave no insight, however, on suspicions levelled by families of the victims that the freight train had been illegally transporting flammable hazardous materials. The government has rejected these accusations. The authorities and the judiciary are conducting independent investigations, but they are taking a long time due to the enormous amount of evidence, the government has said. Cross-party protests The demand for political accountability is putting increasing pressure on the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In a rare show of unity, Greeks from across the political spectrum joined the protests and strikes on Friday which crippled transport services and shuttered government offices and schools. Unlike in previous protests, many self-employed people and private businesses also participated, with numerous tavernas, cafés and supermarkets shutting their doors. Church bells rang out in many communities.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Riots follow demonstrations in Greece
Riots erupted in the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki on Friday during mass demonstrations commemorating the severe train accident in the small town of Tempi near Mount Olympus two years ago. Towards the end of a gathering of more than 170,000 people in Athens, Molotov cocktails were thrown towards the special police units positioned around the parliament. There were also riots in Thessaloniki. The officers used tear gas, images on news channel ERTnews showed. Many peaceful demonstrators reportedly fled in fear. According to the police, the rioters in Athens are said to be between 500 and 700 radicals. The so-called Black Bloc is known for hijacking demonstrations of any kind to subsequently clash with the police. The predominantly peaceful nationwide strikes and demonstrations were directed at the government: People are demanding clarification of the circumstances surrounding the severe train accident in Tempi in central Greece to the south-west of Thessaloniki two years ago, in which 57 mainly young people lost their lives. The police estimated that several hundred thousand people took part in the demonstrations nationwide.
