Greece is once again facing a summer under siege from flames, with uncontrolled wildfires destroying vast areas of land, turning properties to ash, and forcing entire villages to evacuate. Among those impacted are Greek Australians visiting family in the homeland.
Fire crews are battling multiple fronts under extreme heat and strong winds, with more than 5,000 firefighters deployed and 62 aircraft assisting efforts nationwide. In just 48 hours, 152 new rural and forest fires broke out, according to Fire Service spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis.
Hospitals, emergency services and all civil protection units remain on high alert, with additional aircraft requested from the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Dozens of emergency alerts have been issued via the “112” service, warning residents in regions including Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Arta, Preveza, Vonitsa, Aitoliko, Thessaloniki, Chios and Achaia to evacuate.
Regional devastation
In Preveza, residents in multiple villages were repeatedly told to leave as fires reignited through the night. In Achaia, the fire front travelled over 25 kilometres, fuelled by strong winds, leaving extensive destruction in residential, forested and agricultural areas.
On Chios, entire communities, including Volissos, were evacuated, with hundreds spending the night in shelters provided by the municipality. The Coast Guard, with seven vessels and assistance from private boats, rescued people trapped in coastal areas.
Authorities warn of worsening conditions
Mr Vathrakogiannis urged the public to strictly follow safety instructions, warning that, according to experts, the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days. “We are making every possible effort to fight all active fronts with all available resources,” he said.
The fire risk remains extreme for regions including Attica, Kythera, Boeotia, Evia, Argolida, Corinthia, Ilia, Laconia, Messinia, Fokida, Aetoloakarnania, Preveza, Arta, Kavala, Thasos, Rodopi, Evros, Samothraki, Limnos and Lesvos.
Southern Europe also in crisis
Similar extreme conditions are affecting Spain, Portugal and Turkey, where temperatures have exceeded 40°C. At least five deaths have been reported across southern Europe due to fires or heat-related causes, including in Albania, Spain, Montenegro and Italy.
In one tragic case, a four-year-old Romanian boy died from heatstroke in Sardinia after being found unconscious in a car.
Authorities continue to battle fires across the Mediterranean as the region faces one of its most dangerous summers in recent history.
