Greece - state of emergency caused by fires in Thasos

Nearly 300 firefighters, volunteers and soldiers are striving to contain large forest fires on the northern Greek island of Thasos, which has damaged homes and forced the evacuation of a village. The Greek authorities have instituted a state of emergency and several localities (Aliki, Prinos Kazaviti, Rachoni, Agios Panteleimonas) and two monasteries (Archangel Michael and St. Panteleimon) have been evacuated.

According to a MAE press release quoted by Reuters on Sunday, the evacuation of the village Theologos, the ancient capital of the island, is also considered to be a proper solution. The fire started Saturday, September 10, in four different villages (Rachoni, Limenaria, Prinos, Aliki), as a result of lightning, and then expanded in southern areas of the island with the wind blowing heavily in the north -south.

"All measures are taken to protect the life of people on the island," Thassos Mayor Kostas Hatziemmanouil has said. The fire department also declared that at least eight houses were damaged in the central, mountain village of Kazaviti, which was evacuated.

Local authorities have announced that the ring road of Thasos can be used under normal conditions. Also, no difficulties concerning ferry transport between the Limenas-Thassos (northern aria of the island) and Keramoti port, located on the Greek mainland.

Foreign Ministry recommends consulting the website www.meteoalarm.eu and recalls that foreign citizens traveling in Greece and its islands have some useful and available applications such as "Travel safely" (available free in the "App Store" and "Google Play '), which provides information, travel advice and the ability to alert authorities if special circumstances arise.