August 22nd 2023.
The Greek wildfires have been devastating, claiming the lives of 26 people and ravaging the mainland over the past few days. On Tuesday, the fire department announced that 18 bodies had been found in one of the areas most affected by the fires.
The disaster began last month when fires raged across multiple islands, including Corfu and Rhodes, resulting in thousands of tourists being evacuated. With the country still in the midst of the blazes, the question is where are the current wildfires located?
Currently, the region of Evros and its surrounding areas have been hit by the flames. The region borders Turkey to the east, Bulgaria to the north and north-west, and the Aegean Sea lies to the south. Wildfires have also been spotted near the capital of Alexandroupolis, on Evia and Kynthos islands, and Boeotia, the former region of ancient Greece which lies just north of Athens.
Due to the wildfires, 65 patients had to be evacuated from the University hospital in Alexandroupolis and 18 bodies were found near a fire pit in the Avanta area of the same region. Greek Fire Department spokesperson, Ioannis Artopios, said in a statement that investigations are still being conducted throughout the area and that they are looking into the possibility that the bodies found are those of people who entered the country illegally.
With the situation in Greece, many are asking if it is safe to travel there. The Foreign Office has not yet advised against travelling to the country, but they have warned of active wildfires on the mainland and on a number of islands. They have urged travellers to contact their travel operator or accommodation provider before going to check that the area they plan to visit is not affected by the fires. If they are in an area that is suffering from the wildfires, they should follow the advice of the emergency services and contact their airline or travel operator for help in returning to the UK. If in immediate danger, one should contact the Greek Emergency Services by dialing 112.
For more information and advice, you can visit the Foreign Office website.
It is important to be aware of the situation in Greece and to check before travelling to an area that may be affected by the wildfires.
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