Greece wildfires: Hundreds of tourists evacuated from hotels and beaches

Holidaymakers rescued by boat and taken to indoor sports hall

Smoke billows over the sea during a fire on Samos island (ANTONIO VALENCIANO via REUTERS)

Hundreds of tourists in Greece have been evacuated from hotels and beaches after wildfires spread across the country over the weekend.

One of the most severe fires was on the island of Samos, where 1,000 tourists and residents had to be rescued from the popular beaches on the east of the island, according to Greek news agency ANA.

Holidaymakers were collected from the Glykoriza and Proteas beaches by boat before being transferred to an indoor sports stadium in the town of Pythagoreio.

The Foreign Office (FCO) updated its travel advice on Greece in response, stating that a wildfire had started in Mesokampos village on Samos, and that two hotels had been evacuated.

“You should follow the advice of Greek authorities and monitor the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for updates,” advises the FCO.

The Samos fire was under control by Monday, according to the fire department.

Around 700 firefighters fought the various blazes this weekend.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Citizen Protection is now warning of a very high risk of fire tomorrow (28 August) in the following locations: Region of Attica; North Aegean Region (Limnos, Lesvos); Region of Peloponnese (Corinthia, Argolis); Central Greece Region (Euboea, Boeotia, Skyros); Region of Western Greece (Achaia, Ilia); Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Evros, Samothrace).

Visitors and residents are being advised to be “very careful” and avoid actions that could spark a blaze, such as burning dry grass and branches, using outdoor barbecues and throwing lit cigarettes.

Anyone who sees a fire is directed to call the fire service on 199.

Forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to the dry and hot weather, according to the FCO.

It says the fires are “highly dangerous and unpredictable” and advises tourists to: “take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas.

“Make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, and don’t light barbecues.

“Causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence in Greece even if unintentional.”