Greece Wildfires See Hundreds Of Holidaymakers Evacuated From Hotels And Beaches

Hundreds of holidaymakers and locals have been evacuated from hotels and beaches in Greece while firefighters tackle dozens of wildfires.

According to Greek news outlet ANA, emergency services had to evacuate guests from four hotels on the island of Samos to the safety of an indoor stadium.

The blaze is reported to be the most serious to strike the island, which has seen hot, dry and windy weather fuel wildfires in the past 24 hours as temperatures reach 37C.

More than 700 firefighters were deployed in recent days to get the wildfire under control, which led to the evacuation of around 1,000 guests and residents.

Coastguard vessels rushed to Glykoriza and Proteas beaches and took tourists to a sports stadium in the town of Pythagoreio.

Yesterday (Sunday, 25 August), Greece's head of civil protection said there was a 'high risk' of fires breaking out in several areas, including the southern Peloponnese region and on Crete.

Since the evacuation began, social media has been flooded with photographs and videos showing helicopters and planes flying over the affected area and dropping water in a bid to put the flames out.

Separately, two people in their forties were arrested in the Peloponnese for having deliberately started fires.

According to Greek newspaper Ekathimerini, one of those involved is alleged to be responsible for a forest fire in the region, while the other is believed to have started three other blazes.

At the beginning of the month, five fires blazed through the island of Evia, which devastated a 'unique, untouched pine forest' and was described as a 'huge ecological disaster'.

At the time, the blaze also forced hundreds of people had to be evacuated from nearby villages.

The incident saw more than 200 firefighters, along with 75 fire engines, nine helicopters and seven planes come together to tame the fire.

Speaking to AFP, acting regional governor Kostas Bakoyannis said: "It's a huge ecological disaster."

We're thinking of everyone in the areas affected!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Greece, Life News, News

Lisa McLoughlin

Lisa is a freelance journalist working for Tyla and the team's token Dubliner. After graduating with a MA in PR and Digital Marketing from D.I.T., she worked for MailOnline, Sun Online, Irish Independent and broadcaster RTÉ. Got a story of interest or want advice on how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness? Then email her at [email protected].

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