Hundreds of tourists were evacuated by sea in northern Greece on Thursday, August 13, as wildfires threatened beaches in the Halkidiki region. More than 480 people in bathing costumes were rescued in small boats, coast guard and fire brigade vessels, according to fire service officials and ERT public television.
Blaze forces sea evacuation
The fire approached from inland, charring holiday apartments and their sea-facing balconies. People wearing face masks, some holding children or pets, boarded dinghies and boats in the seaside town. A fire service spokesman said the evacuation had to be by sea because flames were getting close to the beaches.
Some evacuees were moved to nearby beaches, while about 200 tourists were taken to a ship waiting at sea. Water-bombing planes, helicopters and firefighters worked to stop the blaze.
Pine forests fuel fire
In the Halkidiki region, dense pine forests helped the fire spread. Authorities banned the public from entering the region's pine forests. Homes and popular resorts were destroyed within hours of the fire breaking out, and the civil protection agency sent evacuation warnings by phone to people in the two resorts.
High winds forecast
A three-kilometer-long wall of flames up to 30 meters high was closing in on the resorts, according to reports. Weather forecasters have predicted winds of up to 100km/h on Friday, posing the threat that wildfires could quickly spread.
