Greece is experiencing an unprecedented environmental catastrophe, as the fire is threatening multiple regions and causing significant damage. The Minister of Internal Affairs Fernando Grande-Marlaska officially requested international assistance, including two specialized "Canadair" aircraft to control the spreading fires.
The epicenter of the disaster is concentrated in the Patras area, where the fire front reached the outer city districts. Local authorities declared a state of emergency, evacuating hospital patients and accommodating affected citizens in military units.
The dramatic situation is complicated by strong winds that continuously reignite new fire outbreaks. The fire destroyed the industrial zone of Greece's third-largest city, burning villages, industrial facilities, and reaching the seashore.
The island of Chios is also seriously affected – another settlement has been engulfed in flames. Firefighters are making superhuman efforts to save property and cultural monuments, including the Saint Nicholas Monastery, whose nuns were evacuated by the police.
The damage is catastrophic – houses, villas, cars, farms, and olive groves have been burned. The statistics are more than alarming – 109 fire outbreaks have been registered in different parts of the country over the past 24 hours.
Greek authorities continue to seek additional support from their European partners, while firefighters and volunteers wage an unequal battle against the natural disaster threatening human lives and national wealth.