Greece is currently struggling with severe forest fires. More and more countries are sending helpers to control the devastating fire.
Athens – Several forest fires are currently raging in southern Europe. In addition to Turkey, Greece has also been hit hard by them. As the German Press Agency (dpa) reports, more and more helpers from other countries are traveling there to get the devastating flames under control.
As of Monday morning (August 9th, 2021), the list of helpers has comprised a total of 20 nations – including firefighters from Romania, Israel, Serbia and Ukraine. Other countries such as Spain, France, Croatia, Sweden and Egypt also sent fire-fighting planes and helicopters.
Fire in Greece: Aid from 20 nations – Euboea island badly affected by fires
Germany is also sending aid to Greece – including from Hesse. However, the 221 rescue workers should not be ready until Thursday (August 12, 2021). The FDP reacts to this with criticism. “The German aid from the Federal Office for Disaster Control is a joke in terms of number, device and speed,” said FDP MP Christoph Hoffmann on Monday (August 9th, 2021).
On the second largest Greek island of Evia, particularly catastrophic forest fires are currently raging, which are a serious threat to the population. The fire brigade is currently trying to prevent the flames from spreading to the small town of Istiea, reports the AFP news agency. However, fire-fighting planes and helicopters had “serious difficulties” because of the thick smoke and limited visibility. As the fire continued to spread, smaller towns near Istiea were gradually evacuated.
Serious forest fires in Greece: fire near Athens largely under control
Hundreds of houses and around 35,000 hectares of forest have already been completely destroyed in the north of Evia. The fires have been raging there for seven days, but steep slopes and rugged terrain make extinguishing work extremely difficult. North of the Greek capital Athens, two dead and dozens were injured as a result of the flames. Most of the fires there have been extinguished, but the risk that they will flare up again is still great, according to Nikos Hardalias, Deputy Minister of Civil Protection.
In addition, the situation in Crete and the Peloponnese would have stabilized. In Turkey, too, the situation has now largely calmed down. There, severe forest fires threatened popular Turkish vacation spots, among other things. (Alina Schröder)
Header list image: © Petros Karadjias / dpa
