August 23, 2006
Fire Decimates Greek Villages
Wildfire ravaged several vilages in Halkidiki, northern Greece forcing villagers and tourists to seek refuge on the beach where two died.
"At its peak, the fire spread over 25 kilometers and ravaged the village resorts of Polichroni, Hanioti, Pefkohori, Nea Skioni and Kryopigi as thick black smoke covered the area.
The blaze forced thousands of tourists to flee their hotels for the local beaches, where more than 1,200 people boarded boats and coast guard vessels for safety. Others simply spent the night on the beach......"
"A state of emergency was declared in the area and arguments broke out about the readiness of the fire service to deal with the blaze. Forestry experts told Kathimerini that there was not enough planning to combat a fire of this scale...."
Additional coverage
"Hundreds of inhabitants and tourists fled their houses, hotels and tents overnight as the flames approached, the reports said.
'Chaos broke out. The people, including tourists, ran in panic towards the sea to escape the flames and smoke. Children screamed, and the electricity failed. We could see nothing. It was a nightmare,' one lady from the village of Hanioti said.
'Hundreds of houses, dozens of hotels and guest houses have been destroyed. Hundreds of pets and wild animals have perished,' the prefect of the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Panagiotis Psomiadis, told Greek television.
'The flames were spreading like lightning. The fire service couldn't do anything,' he said.
The interior ministry declared the area affected by the wildfires an emergency zone; troops have been ordered to assist the overstretched fire services.
Six fire-fighting aircraft and three helicopters were deployed after daybreak to drop water on the fires..."
"At its peak, the fire spread over 25 kilometers and ravaged the village resorts of Polichroni, Hanioti, Pefkohori, Nea Skioni and Kryopigi as thick black smoke covered the area.
The blaze forced thousands of tourists to flee their hotels for the local beaches, where more than 1,200 people boarded boats and coast guard vessels for safety. Others simply spent the night on the beach......"
"A state of emergency was declared in the area and arguments broke out about the readiness of the fire service to deal with the blaze. Forestry experts told Kathimerini that there was not enough planning to combat a fire of this scale...."
Additional coverage
"Hundreds of inhabitants and tourists fled their houses, hotels and tents overnight as the flames approached, the reports said.
'Chaos broke out. The people, including tourists, ran in panic towards the sea to escape the flames and smoke. Children screamed, and the electricity failed. We could see nothing. It was a nightmare,' one lady from the village of Hanioti said.
'Hundreds of houses, dozens of hotels and guest houses have been destroyed. Hundreds of pets and wild animals have perished,' the prefect of the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki, Panagiotis Psomiadis, told Greek television.
'The flames were spreading like lightning. The fire service couldn't do anything,' he said.
The interior ministry declared the area affected by the wildfires an emergency zone; troops have been ordered to assist the overstretched fire services.
Six fire-fighting aircraft and three helicopters were deployed after daybreak to drop water on the fires..."
