WATCH: Hundreds of tourists ferried from BURNING Greek island
There are shocking developments coming from Greece, as wildfires have ripped through several parts for several days. Stunning footage of some of the blazes has been circulating on social media, including one which shows people being evacuated by ferry from the burning island of Lake Evia.
At least 1 100 of the tourists had to be ferried as the blazes cut off all other routes of escape. There has been a flood of reaction to the clip on Twitter, with some comparing it with special effects from a Hollywood movie.
WATCH: Tourists rescued amid Greek wildfires
At least 150 wildfires have been reported in the northern outskirts of Greece’s capital Athens since Tuesday. Recent media reports indicate that a firefighter who had been helping battle the flames has died, while at least 20 others have been injured.
Six areas have already been placed on high alert and thousands of people have already had to be evacuated from their homes in several Greek towns.
Hundreds of firefighters have been hard at work trying to contain the flames with nearly two dozen water-bombing aircraft. Several countries have been roped in and will be providing additional resources including Britain, the United States (US), France, Ukraine, Cyprus, Croatia, Sweden and Israel.
Greek minister Nikos Hardalias said firefighters were facing extremely dangerous and unprecedented conditions.
“Over the past few days, we have been facing a situation without precedent in our country, in the intensity and wide distribution of the wildfires, and the new outbreaks all over (Greece). I want to assure you that all forces available are taking part in the fight,” he said.
This is considered Greece’s worst heat wave in 30 years with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who visited the fire department’s headquarters on Saturday morning, 7 August 2021, said all burnt areas would be declared reforestation zones.
“With great effort, and I believe with the participation of society, when this nightmarish summer has passed, we will turn all our attention to repairing the damage as fast as possible, and in restoring our natural environment again,” he added.
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