Halkidiki, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations and around 100 km from Thessaloniki, was engulfed by a major wildfire on Thursday afternoon. Due to the danger, authorities ordered residents and thousands of holidaymakers to evacuate the towns of Siviri and Fourka.
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The fire broke out shortly after 2 p.m. and spread rapidly, driven by strong winds. The flames crossed the main road, approached the coast and swept into areas with holiday homes, creating a fire front stretching more than 4 km. At least one house has been confirmed destroyed, but no official figures have yet been released on the total number of homes damaged.
As the situation deteriorated, authorities issued four warning messages through the 112 emergency number and also began evacuations by sea. Residents and tourists were picked up from Siviri beach by Coast Guard vessels, firefighting boats and private vessels. At the same time, buses were deployed to evacuate people from Siviri and Fourka.
A total of 148 firefighters, 54 vehicles and four ground teams are involved in the operation to extinguish the blaze. Nine aircraft and seven helicopters are periodically carrying out aerial operations, while 12 firefighters from Moldova have also joined the crews on the ground.
Two firefighters were injured while battling the flames. One was taken to hospital after suffering a leg injury, while the other experienced breathing difficulties.
Halkidiki and its first peninsula rank among the most popular destinations for Balkan tourists, including holidaymakers from Serbia, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
However, Halkidiki is not the only active fire zone in Greece today. More than five regions across the country have been placed on red alert for the entire weekend due to high temperatures and strong winds, which in some cases exceed speeds of 110 km per hour.
Other fires were recorded in Aitoloakarnania and Akontio in Boeotia. Meanwhile, the fires in Vartholomio, Ilia, in the Peloponnese, as well as at Ofrinio beach in Kavala, were brought under control.
In the past 24 hours alone, 40 agricultural and forest fires have been recorded across Greece. Of these, 31 were brought under control in their initial stages, while operations are continuing at nine fire sites.
Greek authorities have meanwhile made more than five arrests in various regions of the country for starting fires or failing to comply with fire safety regulations. Investigations into each new fire are continuing.
