A major wildfire swept into the resort area of Siviri in Greece’s Halkidiki peninsula on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people by sea as firefighters battled flames driven by strong winds.
The fire broke out in a rural and forested area before spreading toward the inhabited zone of Siviri, a popular summer destination on the Kassandra peninsula. Residents and visitors received emergency evacuation orders through Greece’s 112 alert system as the blaze approached homes and tourist facilities.
Evacuation of residents, tourists
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, at least 220 people were evacuated from Siviri beach and transported to the Sani marina. Another 92 people were being transferred to safety aboard the passenger vessel Speedrunner, while additional vessels remained involved in the evacuation operation.
The rescue effort included a Coast Guard vessel, nine private boats and other vessels dispatched to remove people from the coastline.
Authorities also evacuated a hotel in nearby Fourka where children from Ukraine were staying.
Large firefighting force battles flames
A large firefighting force was deployed to battle the blaze, including 155 firefighters, four ground teams from the 2nd Special Forest Operations Unit and 59 fire engines. Nine aircraft and seven helicopters, including one coordinating helicopter, were also assigned to the operation.
Two firefighters were injured and taken to hospital, according to the information provided. One reportedly suffered a leg sprain and the other minor burns.
The cause of the fire has not been officially established. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that investigators were examining whether strong winds caused a power pole to fall, producing a spark that may have ignited the blaze. That information had not been independently confirmed by authorities.
Witnesses reported damage to homes and vehicles as the fire reached the outskirts of the settlement, although the full extent of the destruction was not immediately clear.
#Σίβηρη Χαλκιδική#πυρκαγιά σε σπίτια & ξενοδοχειακές μονάδες και κατεβαίνει προς την θαλάσσια περιοχή.
🔥Ισχυρές δυνάμεις και απ’ τη θαλάσσια περιοχή ώστε να μπορέσουν να απεγκλωβίσουν τους πολίτες
Βίντεο : πανελλήνιο δίκτυο πυροσβεστών Δασοκομάντο #φωτια #φωτιες #πυρκαγιες pic.twitter.com/rPcVNbcID5— Penny Rage (@penny_rage) August 13, 2026
Related: Timelapse Captures Greece’s Devastating Wildfire Spreading Toward Porto Germeno
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