Europe wildfires: Greek resort towns evacuated

Thursday, 18 Jul, 2023 1

Scorching temperatures have now blanketed almost the entirety of Southern Europe, and has seen holidaymakers evacuated.

It has even led to residents of a Swiss Alpine village fleeing a nearby wildfire.

Wildfires are raging in La Palma and Greece.

Thousands of holidaymakers have fled Greek beach resorts.

Evacuation orders are in place for at least six coastal towns.

Major fires are encroaching on the Lagonisi area, near Athens and the resort town of Loutraki, about one hour west of the capital.

Many holiday homes have been destroyed.

Some tourists have been housed in schools or other hotels in safer areas.

A children’s summer camp had to be evacuated.

Strong, changeable winds are hampering the firefighting effort.

“The conditions are changing constantly. We have ordered multiple evacuations,” said fire service spokesperson Yiannis Artopios.

Metropolitan Athens and most of southern Greece are currently on the second highest alert level.

It comes after wildfires have ravaged parts of La Palma in the Canary Islands.

Around 4,000 people were evacuated.

Meanwhile, Italy is bracing itself for temperatures of up to 48C during what has been described as Europe’s ‘hottest ever week.’

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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