A large fire broke out on Sunday morning on the Greek island of Andros, in the archipelago of the Cyclades.
The fire still ravages out of control, with local authorities asking people from certain settlements and villages to evacuate their properties and seek safety.
The fire broke out in the area named Remata at 1:30 AM on Sunday, for unknown reasons.
One firefighter had to be rushed to the island’s Health Center, as he suffered injuries while he was fighting along with his colleagues.
Unfortunately, the strong winds that blow in the area, along with the terrain that makes it almost impossible for firefighters to approach, have led to the fire being out of control.
Σε εξέλιξη #πυρκαγιά σε χαμηλή βλάστηση στην περιοχή Ρέματα Άνδρου. Επιχειρούν 15 #πυροσβέστες με 5 οχήματα και 2 Α/Φ ενώ κινητοποιήθηκε μια ομάδα αερομεταφερόμενου πεζοπόρου της 1ης ΕΜΑΚ που θα μεταβεί με Ε/Π. Συνδρομή παρέχουν εθελοντές.
— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) April 4, 2021
Tens of firefighters are battling the blaze according to what the local fire department said on Sunday.
Settlements evacuated on Andros due to the fire
Two settlements, those of Remata and Ateni have already been evacuated and people of nearby villages –such as those in Arni– are on high alert to evacuate if this is deemed appropriate.
The efforts of the men and women on the island are hampered by the strong winds blowing in the area.
Fifteen firemen with five vehicles, two firefighting aircraft, and additional ground units have been dispatched in the area.
Additional fire fighting units from Athens are on their way to Andros, according to a Facebook post of the mayor of Andros, Dimitris Lotsaris.
Andros is the northernmost island of the Greek Cyclades archipelago, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southeast of Euboea, and about 3 kilometers (2 miles) north of the island of Tinos.
It is nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, and its greatest breadth is 16 kilometersm (10 miles).
It is for the most part mountainous, with many fruitful and well-watered valleys. The municipality, which includes the island Andros and several small, uninhabited islands, has an area of 146.719 sq mi.
The largest towns are the town of Andros, Gavrio, Batsi, and Ormos Korthiou.
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