Wildfire on Chalkidiki forces evacuation of 250+ tourists from Greek holiday resorts
A fast-moving wildfire on the Chalkidiki peninsula in northern Greece forced the evacuation of more than 250 tourists from the resorts of Siviri and Fourka on Thursday, with many rescued by sea as flames reached the beaches.
Fire breaks out on Chalkidiki
A wildfire erupted near the holiday resorts of Siviri and Fourka on the western coast of the Chalkidiki peninsula in northern Greece on Thursday afternoon. According to ERT News, the fire started around 14:00 local time and spread rapidly through dry pine forests, driven by strong winds. The region is currently classified at the second-highest wildfire warning level. Within hours, flames advanced dangerously close to houses and beaches in both resorts, which are packed with tourists during the peak summer season. The peninsula of Chalkidiki lies south of the city of Thessaloniki.
Sea evacuation of tourists
The Greek civil protection authority sent evacuation orders to residents and visitors in Siviri and Fourka via the country's 112 emergency alert system, contacting them by telephone and SMS. More than 250 tourists, many carrying children and still wearing swimwear, were evacuated by sea using 15 small emergency boats, according to reports from the Greek broadcaster ERT. The Berliner Zeitung, citing Reuters, reported a higher figure: more than 300 people were brought to safety from Siviri alone, with more than 15 volunteer boats joined by coast guard vessels and firefighting boats. A fire service spokesperson said the flames came so close to the beaches that evacuation by sea was the only possible escape route. Authorities directed evacuees to the neighboring towns of Mola Kalyva, Kassandreia, and Nea Skioni.
ERT footage showed dozens of people standing on a floating pontoon in the water, waiting for rescue as smoke darkened the sky above the resorts. Reuters described scenes of people wearing respiratory masks, some carrying pets, climbing into inflatable boats and other watercraft at the coast while thick columns of smoke obscured the sky. Inland, the fire reached several holiday apartments, according to Reuters. On the roads leading out of the towns, traffic descended into gridlock as residents and guests tried to flee by car.
- Fire breaks out near Siviri on the western coast of Chalkidiki
- Flames approach houses and beaches; 112 evacuation alerts sent to Siviri and Fourka
- More than 250 tourists evacuated by sea with 15 emergency boats
- Two firefighters injured; road between Siviri and Kassandreia closed; fire still burning
Firefighting response
Nearly 150 firefighters, supported by nine firefighting planes and several helicopters, battled the flames from the air and ground. The fire service said two firefighters were injured during the operation. The main road between Siviri and Kassandreia was closed. Fire service spokesperson Giannis Artopios told the news portal Protothema that efforts were focused on extinguishing the fire and safely transporting people.
Our effort is focused on extinguishing the fire and the safe transport of people.
Broader wildfire context
The Chalkidiki fire comes amid an intense Greek wildfire season. Just days earlier, a large blaze northwest of Athens burned more than 11,000 hectares of pine forest, brushland, and agricultural land. That fire took five days to bring under control due to heavy winds. Reuters noted that multiple heatwaves across Europe this summer have worsened dry conditions and fueled wildfires in countries including Spain, France, and Greece. Dense smoke from the Chalkidiki blaze was visible for kilometers, according to eyewitnesses. The fire on Chalkidiki was still burning as of Thursday evening, with strong wind continuing to hamper the response.
