Residents from Evia island flee fire by boat, blaze threatens ancient Olympia

·

Greece evacuated people in boats from a beach on the island of Evia on Wednesday amid heavy smoke from a nearby wildfire and fire crews fought elsewhere to keep flames away from the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games as the country sweltered under a record heat wave.

The coast guard evacuated about 90 people stranded on a beach near the northern village of Rovies on Evia island. Private boats helped in the operation. Media reports said three firefighters suffered burns. Several homes were burnt as well as swaths of forest.

Elsewhere, evacuations were taking place in Greece’s southern Peloponnese region due to a major fire near ancient Olympia — where the Olympics were held every four years from 776 B.C. for more than a millennium.

The adjacent town of Ancient Olympia was evacuated, with another seven nearby villages. The area was ravaged by wildfires in 2007 that cost dozens of lives but spared Olympia’s ruined sports venues and temples.

The mayor of the nearby town of Pirgos said a strong firefighting cordon had been placed around the verdant site, one of the most beautiful in a country teeming with antiquities.

“I think the site’s security is at a satisfactory level,” Panagiotis Andonakopoulos said.

Flames burn a mountain in Platanos village, near ancient Olympia, western Greece, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Photo: Giannis Spyrounis/ilialive.gr via AP.

In response to the dangerous fire situation, the European Union sent firefighters and water-dropping planes to Greece overnight. The help came a day after another major blaze burned more than 100 homes and businesses near the Greek capital of Athens.

“Following the situation with great concern. European solidarity is at work to fight these terrible fires,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote in a tweet.

Civil Protection chief, Nikos Hardalias, said 118 wildfires broke out over the past 24 hours, and warned that even worse days could lie ahead for the hard-pressed fire service.

Civil protection workers try to open a door as they check for possible trapped residents during a wildfire in Rovies village on the island of Evia. Photo: AP News.

“We are making a titanic effort on many fronts,” he told an evening briefing. “According to our threat forecasts, tomorrow too is expected to be a difficult day … The toughest part lies ahead of us, the next days and weeks will be even harder. Our key target is to protect human lives.”

Temperatures in Greece reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) Wednesday, in what authorities described as the worst heat wave since 1987. The heat wave is forecast to hover over the country until the end of the week.

Source: AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Sydney unit block blamed for structural damage to Gary Papapetros’ car repair shop

Gary Papapetros, a Mascot mechanic, has said his workshop is falling apart due to structural damage caused by a neighbouring apartment block.

Australian Prime Minister makes historic visit to war-torn Ukraine

During a historic first trip to Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Electra Manikakis produces some of the wildest survival documentaries ever made

In 35 years of experience, Electra Manikakis, has produced some of the most eye-catching wildlife films made worldwide.