Latest news with #civilProtection
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Acropolis Trims Hours Again Amid Greek Heatwave
The Acropolis in Athens will limit its operating hours for a second straight day because of heatwave conditions, the Greek culture ministry said Wednesday. The ministry in a statement said the world-renowned site would be shut till 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) "for the safety of workers and visitors, owing to high temperatures." The four-day heatwave confirmed by meteorologists began Sunday and is the second to grip Greece since late June. Temperatures are expected to reach 41 Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, with a maximum of 37 Celsius in Athens, according to national weather service EMY. The Greek civil protection authority has warned of high fire risk in the greater Athens area, in central Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula on Wednesday. The heatwave will abate on Thursday.
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Acropolis limits opening hours for second day straight amid heatwave
The Acropolis in Athens will limit its operating hours for a second straight day because of heatwave conditions, the Greek culture ministry said Wednesday. The ministry in a statement said the world-renowned site would be shut till 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) 'for the safety of workers and visitors, owing to high temperatures.' The four-day heatwave confirmed by meteorologists began Sunday and is the second to grip Greece since late June. Temperatures are expected to reach 41 Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, with a maximum of 37 Celsius in Athens, according to national weather service EMY. The Greek civil protection authority has warned of high fire risk in the greater Athens area, in central Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula on Wednesday. The heatwave will abate on Thursday.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fears wind could worsen Crete wildfire as temperatures soar to 38C
Firefighters on the Greek island of Crete are in their third day of battling a wildfire which has already razed forests and olive groves, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. Around 130 firefighters, 48 vehicles, and six helicopters are deployed, contending with gale-force winds and dry conditions. An anonymous fire brigade official warned that gusts could fan embers from smouldering trees, threatening to reignite contained areas. The Crete fire comes as Europe endures an early summer heatwave, which has been linked by officials to at least eight deaths across the continent. The fire, which broke out in a village about 16 kilometres (10 miles) east of Ierapetra on Wednesday, has consumed swathes of agricultural land in the southeastern corner of the island. It has left dead animals and scorched farmhouses in its wake. Some 1,000 residents evacuated on Wednesday found temporary shelter at an indoor stadium and in nearby hotels and about 5,000 holidaymakers left the area. Many of the evacuees were expected to make their way back home later on Friday as the situation improved, George Tsapakos, a deputy civil protection governor for Crete, said. Tourism is a key earner in Crete, the largest island in Greece, and local hoteliers were concerned about the impact on future bookings as the fire hit at the start of the peak summer holiday season. Separately, some 148 firefighters battled a fire that broke out in the Athens suburb of Pikermi on Thursday, threatening many homes, causing power cuts and prompting authorities to move more than 300 people to safety. The fire was contained but not extinguished, the fire brigade official said. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on Friday, the Greek weather service said. In Italy, the health ministry put 20 of the 27 cities it monitors for heatwaves on red alert on Friday. RAI public broadcaster said temperatures would go as high as 38 C in Florence and 37 C in Rome, Bologna and Perugia. With the heat comes a higher risk of wildfires. Greece and other Mediterranean countries are in an area dubbed "a wildfire hotspot" by scientists - with blazes common during hot and dry summers. These have become more destructive in recent years due to a fast-changing climate.
Times
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Times
Tourists evacuated as fast-moving wildfires take hold on Crete
More than 1,500 people have been evacuated after a fast-moving wildfire broke out early on Thursday on the Greek island of Crete. People were moved from from three sites near the port of Ierapetra on the island's south coast. Homes have been destroyed as flames sweep through hillside forests, uncontained by firefighting efforts. Nektarios Papadakis, a regional civil protection official, said: 'It's a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it.' 'The tourists who were moved out are all OK. They have been taken to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other regions of the island,' he added. The authorities said hundreds had been moved out of homes and hotels, with the number expected to increase overnight. The fire service and a civil protection agency issued mobile phone alerts and appealed to residents not to return to try and save their property. People have been treated for breathing difficulties, officials said, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries. More than 150 firefighters were in the area, while water-dropping aircraft and helicopters remained grounded overnight. Hillside fire breaks were created in an attempt to slow the advance of the blaze. Crete is one of Greece's most popular tourist destinations. The risk of wildfires remained very high across Crete and parts of southern Greece on Thursday, according to a daily bulletin issued by the fire service.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Is it safe to travel to Greece amid wildfires on the island of Chios?
Wildfires are raging on the Greek island of Chios, ripping through swathes of forests, forcing people to evacuate their homes and causing power outages. The blaze has been ongoing for two days, with strong gusts of wind on Monday making it difficult to control the flames. Some 190 firefighters have been battling the fires, with another 171 being deployed to try to keep the blaze at bay and away reach of residential areas. As a precaution, dozens of people who live in villages on the island have left their homes. Chios, the fifth largest Greek island, is located near the western coastline of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. The island is known for its pristine coastline, medieval villages and Byzantine-era architecture, as well as being one of the only places in the world to grow mastic trees, which produce resin, an important industry on the island. Firefighters are trying to prevent the fires from reaching the trees that are vital for the island's economy Sitting at Europe's hot southernmost tip, Greece has felt the economic and environmental impact of frequent wildfires in recent years, which have been attributed to fast-changing climate. Here's what to know about the Chios wildfires. Where are the wildfires? As of Monday morning, Greece's civil protection emergency services have issued a warning over forest fires in the areas of: Vessa, Lithi, Elata, Leptopoda, Agios Georgios Sikousis, Dafnoas, Agia Paraskevi Karyon area, Resta and Armolia. More warnings covering other areas were also made over the weekend. The authorities have asked people to follow the protection advice on their website. Foreign Office advice The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) had not given any specific travel advice regarding the wildfires in Chios as of Monday morning. In its general advice, the FCDO says that lighting fires in the country is both dangerous and illegal due to the high risk of wildfires. 'There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location,' the advice says. 'Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.' To avoid the risk of starting wildfires, the FCDO says not to leave litter behind, especially not glass, which is known to start fires, to make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and not to light barbecues 'Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112,' it adds. It also advises travellers to follow @112Greece for official updates, adhere to the guidance of the emergency services, call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger and contact your airline or travel operator, who can assist you with return travel to the UK. Will my flight get cancelled? There has been no disruption to flights due to the wildfires. Chios Island National Airport operates a small number of flights a day to mainland Greece and other airlines. Its flight schedule is operating as normal, apart from some minor delays to arrivals and departures. Most airlines adhere to a policy whereby they should put you on the next available flight in the event of a cancellation. Compensation is unlikely when the cause of a cancellation is out of the airline's control, such as wildfires. Can I cancel my package holiday? As the Foreign Office has not warned against non-essential travel to Greece, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you're looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes. If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
