People were evacuated in Greece due to a spreading wildfire — AP
On the evening of July 4, a massive wildfire broke out near the Greek city of Thessaloniki and, due to strong winds and the terrain, quickly spread to residential and industrial areas.
Emergency services were forced to order the immediate evacuation of residents from three settlements, which were threatened by the uncontrolled fire.
According to official sources, the fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. in a remote mountainous area and rapidly spread to the surrounding plains, burning mainly dry shrubbery.
Although firefighters managed to prevent damage to residential buildings, the fire caused significant damage to several local businesses.
Residents of the villages of Antupoli, Filotei, and Galini received SMS alerts via the emergency notification system instructing them to leave their homes immediately.
Rescue workers paid particular attention to evacuating a specialized facility where 157 people with special needs were present when the disaster began.
About 120 people who were able to move independently were quickly moved to a safe sports hall. Others who required medical care were housed at a local psychiatric hospital.
The situation was complicated by the fact that Thessaloniki residents not only witnessed towering flames but also heard explosions caused by the burning of flammable materials at industrial sites.
A thick cloud of black smoke blanketed the western districts of the city and a significant portion of the suburbs, reducing visibility and degrading air quality.
That same night, law enforcement authorities reported the arrest of a 76-year-old man suspected of arson. Fire department officials noted that the elderly man “appeared intoxicated” at the time of his arrest.
This was reported by the country’s fire department, according to the AP.
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