On the eastern Greek island of Chios, hundreds of firefighters, supported by aerial units, are engaged in a relentless battle against a raging wildfire that has persisted for three days. The situation has escalated to the point where authorities have issued multiple evacuation orders to safeguard local residents.
As the flames surged through forests and agricultural areas, officials declared a state of emergency. Firefighting reinforcements have arrived from Athens, Thessaloniki, and the nearby island of Lesbos to assist in containing the blaze. By Tuesday morning, the fire department reported that 444 firefighters, equipped with 85 vehicles, were actively combating the fire across various fronts. Aerial support has been provided by eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes, which are crucial in the fight against the flames.
Evacuations and investigation efforts
Since the outbreak of the fires near the main town of Chios on Sunday, emergency services have consistently issued evacuation orders for nearby villages and settlements. The intensity of the fire prompted the deployment of an arson investigation team to the island to ascertain the cause of this devastating blaze.
“We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island, a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,” said Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis.
Kefalogiannis emphasized the seriousness of the situation, indicating that officials are thoroughly examining the possibility of an organized criminal act, specifically arson. To bolster security, police presence on the island has been enhanced, and military patrols have doubled in number.
“Whoever thinks that they can play with the lives of citizens and cause chaos with premeditated actions will be led to court,” the minister warned. “Arson is a serious crime and will be dealt with as such.”
Context of wildfires in Greece
Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece, particularly during the hot and dry summer months. The country has seen devastating fires in the past, such as the catastrophic incident in 2018 when a massive fire swept through the coastal town of Mati, resulting in over 100 fatalities as residents struggled to escape the flames.