Two fires that started on Saturday on the island of Andros in Greece are still burning on Sunday morning.
Thirty fire engines, two fire-fighting aircraft and two helicopters are battling the blaze on the small island on the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. Twenty-five French firefighters are aiding the Hellenic Fire Service.
Electricity is reportedly down in the village of Vitali, as many utility poles have been damaged by the fire.
Firefighting efforts continue in more areas across Greece, including at the huge wildfires in Evros, northeastern Greece, and Mount Parnitha, near Athens, which have been raging for days.
Fire burning on Andros island
The fires on Andros started in the areas of Vitali and near the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi early Saturday afternoon, most likely caused by lightning strikes.
A message was sent via the emergency alert service 112 to the residents of Gides to evacuate the area, but residents were safe to return to the village on Sunday.
The mayor of Andros, Dimitris Lotsaris, described to Greek channel Open TV a difficult night fighting the blaze. Until 11 p.m. there were fears that the fire could descend towards the harbour, Lotsaris said, as the fire was burning on nine different fronts and spreading fast across low vegetation in its way.
Earlier on Saturday, water tank truck of Andros municipalilty was circled and consumed by the flames. The driver managed to leave the vehicle on time to save his life.
Wildfire raging in Evros region, northeastern Greece, for 9th day
Meanwhile, the Hellenic Fire Service has continued to fight active fronts in the deadly wildfire that has been burning in the wider area of Leptokarya, in the region of Evros, northeastern Greece, for the 9th day.
The wildfire that has been burning the Dadia Forest, a national nature reserve, is yet to be contained.
Thirty firefighters were expected from Serbia to assist the Greek firefighting forces in the Evros wildfire.
Earlier this week, the wildfire was declared the biggest the European Union (EU) has ever faced, according to a EU official.
🛩️ The #rescEU firefighting module with 2 planes from Cyprus is operating in Alexandroupolis, supporting Greek firefighters in putting out the deadly fires.
Greece, we are with you! #EUSolidarity 🇨🇾🇪🇺🤝🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/M1AVuZlUDq
— EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid 🇪🇺 (@eu_echo) August 26, 2023
The huge fire that had started north of the coastal city of Alexandroupolis was joined by smaller fires to create a blaze that destroyed homes and caused multiple evacuations of villages and of the city’s hospital.
Eighteen migrants have perished in the wildfire. Their charred bodies were discovered by firefighters in the Dadia Forest.
Fire-fighting efforts across Greece
The Hellenic Fire Service said on Saturday that firefighters are scrambling to put out scattered outbreaks of the huge wildfire that broke out on Tuesday on the southwest side of Mount Parnitha, near Athens.
A total of 260 firefighters were operating in thirteen ground teams and seventy-seven vehicles, assisted by four aircraft and four helicopters.
In Rodopi, the fire brigade is battling scattered outbreaks. A message by the 112 alert service was sent to the residents of Kassitera, Rodopi, to evacuate the area due to a fire.
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