Around 74 people, including several tourists, have lost lives while hundreds more have been injured and many are still missing outside of Athens this week, after what have been described as the deadliest wildfires Greece has experienced in over a decade.
On Monday, two main forest fires broke out and quickly picked up speed 30km North East Greece’s capital, Athens, (and 15km from the International Airport) in the towns of Mati, Neos Voutsas and Rafina.
Both infernos have been described as the worst in Greece over the last 10 years and are believed to have emerged from long-lasting high temperatures, New York Times reported.
#BREAKING: More then 50 killed is #Greece wildfires; Rescue workers found a small traffic jam in the resort of Mati with all of the cars burnt – 26 found dead at the scene pic.twitter.com/gX7vZlYGsQ
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) July 24, 2018
Fast-moving fires were fanned by gale-force winds, giving locals and tourists little time to evacuate impacted areas. As a result around 74 people have lost their lives, while hundreds more suffer from burns and smoke exposure and many more are still missing.
Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has declared three days of national mourning for the dozens killed, including around 10 tourists who drowned when their rescue boat capsized.
Ενημέρωση για τις πυρκαγιες στο κέντρο επιχειρήσεων της πυροσβεστικής. pic.twitter.com/Mc384YaDww
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 23, 2018
Italy’s Prime Minister was among the many who tweeted their sympathies for the victims friends and families and even offered to send two water-dropping Canadair aircraft to help battle the fires.
Di fronte a tragedie come queste scopriamo quanto vogliamo bene alla #Grecia Un pensiero alle vittime e alle loro famiglie
— Paolo Gentiloni (@PaoloGentiloni) July 24, 2018
Despite Greece’s State of Emergency, Australia’s Smartraveller continues to advise Australian tourists to ‘exercise normal safety procedures’ in Athens.
So far, airlines such as Qatar Airways, Scoot, Etihad and Emirates are operating flights to and from Athens as per schedule but are monitoring conditions closely.
“Emirates flights to Athens are currently operating as per schedule and have not been impacted by the forest fires in Greece.”
Emirates Spokesperson
https://twitter.com/hionixris/status/1021766971447234560
Greece specialist, Sun Island Tours, said in a statement that it has been in contact with its tour guides currently travelling with groups in Athens and can confirm that none of its clients were in the vicinity of the fires.
Owner John Polyviou advised Travel Agents that Rafina port, while also a popular departure point for ferries to the Cycladic islands, it is not affected by the fires, but very likely closed due to its close proximity to the affected area.
“We are keeping a very close eye on the ongoing developments there in Greece.”
John Polyviou, Sun Island Tours Owner
“Our ground operators are also ensuring that all of our clients and ferry passengers are kept well away from the affected areas and fully informed of the situation.”
Greek fire is evolving into a Greek Tragedy today as the fire is still going on 🔥. More than 50 people dead until now, among them children. Our thoughts with all the victims and with all those who fight bravely with the flames right now. #Greece #fire pic.twitter.com/IxCrVtPSz3
— Ιδεόκοσμος (@ideocosmos) July 24, 2018
While there has also been an outbreak in Kineta, an area 50km west of Athens, the situation is under control and no deaths recorded; and Sun Island Tours will reroute any tours heading to Corinth via alternative roads.
