Tourists evacuated from the Greek island of Samos due to wildfires

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Wildfires spread across the Greece over the weekend leading to the evacuation of hundreds of tourists from hotels and beaches.

The island of Samos faced one of the most severe fired and around 1,000 tourists and residents were rescued from the popular beaches on the east of the island.

From the Glykoriza  and Proteas beaches holidaymakers were collected by boat before being transferred to an indoor sports stadium in the town of Pythagoreio.

The travel advice was updated by the Foreign office (FCO) on Greece which stated that a wildfire had started in Mesokampos village on Samos and two hotels were evacuated.

The FCO advised -You should follow the advice of Greek authorities and monitor the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for updates.

According to the fire department the Samos fire was under control by Monday and around 700 firefighters fought the various blazes this weekend.

On 28 August the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Citizen Protection has warned of a very high risk in the locations- Region of Attica; North Aegean Region (Limnos, Lesvos); Region of Peloponnese (Corinthia, Argolis); Central Greece Region (Euboea, Boeotia, Skyros); Region of Western Greece (Achaia, Ilia); Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros, Samothrace).

Visitors were asked to remain careful and avoid actions that could spark a blaze like burning dry grass and branches, using outdoor barbecues and throwing lit cigarettes.

Those who see fire should directly call the fires service on 199.

According to the FCO, forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to dry and hot weather.

The fires are highly dangerous and unpredictable and tourists were advised  to take care while visiting or diving through woodland areas.

The cigarette ends should be properly extinguished and do not light barbecues. Creating forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Greece even if unintentional.

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