Plane Fighting Greece Fires Crashes, New Evacuations Ordered

July 25, 2023

1 minute read

An aircraft involved in fighting wildfires in Greece has crashed, as reported by the fire brigade. The incident occurred over the town of Karystos on the island of Evia, near Athens, and the crash was broadcast on state television. The footage showed the low-flying aircraft disappearing into a canyon before a fireball erupted shortly afterward. Authorities have dispatched a helicopter to the crash site for examination.

In the wake of the wildfires, thousands of Britons have been flown back from Rhodes, and it is estimated that 10% of the land on the Greek island has been scorched by the fires. Additional flights are bringing back stranded holidaymakers, with more expected to arrive throughout the day. The Foreign Office estimates that around 10,000 Britons were present on the island, which is a popular tourist destination.

Those who have returned from Rhodes have recounted “traumatic” evacuations as their hotels were surrounded by flames. Many people were forced to spend the weekend seeking refuge on beaches, sun loungers, or the streets as the wildfires continued to rage.

The extreme heatwaves have seen temperatures rise above 40C (104F) in parts of Greece, exacerbating the fire situation. Evacuation warnings have been issued for several areas, including the inland village of Vati and three areas in Corfu.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has likened the situation to a war and is fully focused on tackling the wildfires. He warned of challenging days ahead, although conditions may improve on Thursday. Large parts of the country are currently at the highest risk level for fires.

Climate scientists have emphasized the overwhelming role of human-induced climate change in the recent extreme heatwaves worldwide.

Authorities in Rhodes are investigating the causes of the fires and assessing the preparedness and response measures taken.

In response to the crisis, the EU, along with Turkey, Israel, and Egypt, has sent firefighters, vehicles, and planes to support Greece in combating the fires.

Meanwhile, wildfires have also affected Italy and Algeria, resulting in fatalities and damage to infrastructure in those regions. Italy has put several cities on red alert due to the high temperatures.