Flames Engulf Halkidiki, Residents and Thousands of Tourists Evacuated amid Strong Winds

Halkidiki, one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations, was engulfed by a massive wildfire on Thursday afternoon. The situation in the area, located around 100 km from Thessaloniki, forced authorities to urgently evacuate residents and thousands of holidaymakers from the towns of Siviri and Fourka.

The fire broke out after 2 p.m. and spread rapidly due to strong winds. The flames crossed the main road, approached the coast and swept into areas with holiday homes, forming a front more than 4 km long. So far, at least one house has been confirmed as completely destroyed, but there is still no official estimate of the total number of homes damaged.

Because of the high risk, authorities sent 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 craft and private boats. Buses were also made available 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 crews on the ground.

Two firefighters were injured while battling the flames. One was taken to hospital with a leg injury, while the other experienced breathing difficulties.

Halkidiki and its first peninsula are known as some of the most popular areas among Balkan holidaymakers, including Serbian, Romanian, Albanian and Bulgarian tourists, as well as visitors from North Macedonia.

However, Halkidiki is not the only area affected by fires in Greece today. More than five regions of the country will remain on red alert throughout the weekend because of high temperatures and powerful winds, which in some cases are exceeding speeds of 110 km per hour.

Other fires were reported in Aitoloakarnania and Akontio in Boeotia. Meanwhile, the flames in Vartholomio in Elis, in the Peloponnese, and at Ofrinio beach in Kavala were brought under control.

Over the past 24 hours, 40 wildland and agricultural fires have been recorded across Greece. Of these, 31 were brought under control at an early stage, while firefighting operations are continuing at nine sites.

Greek authorities have meanwhile made more than five arrests in several regions of the country in connection with starting fires or failing to comply with fire safety regulations. Investigations into each new outbreak are continuing.