Boats carry more than 250 holidaymakers to safety from Greek wildfire

More than 250 holidaymakers were brought safely away from wildfire-threatened beaches on Greece’s Chalkidiki peninsula after a coordinated evacuation by sea. Fifteen small emergency boats carried the group, which included families holding children and people still in swimwear, from the resorts of Siviri and Fourka on Thursday.

Greek civil protection had sent evacuation messages to residents and visitors as the fire advanced through highly flammable pine woodland toward homes and the shoreline. With flames dangerously close to the beaches and roads clogged by people trying to leave, a fire service spokesperson said the sea was the only viable escape route. Public broadcaster ERT showed evacuees waiting on a floating pontoon beneath a smoke-darkened sky before boarding boats. The operation proceeded calmly, without crowd surges or panic.

Firefighting aircraft, helicopters and ground crews were deployed as strong winds drove the blaze across the peninsula south of Thessaloniki. Later that evening, authorities said the situation had been brought under control. The successful maritime operation ensured that hundreds of visitors could escape the immediate danger despite land routes becoming impracticable.