Greece Issues Travel Warning Following Athens Wildfire
New Delhi: Travellers planning trips to Greece have been cautioned about a significant wildfire in Athens, which has caused widespread disruption as emergency services battle the blaze. The fire, which ignited on Sunday near Lake Marathon, approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Athens, has rapidly spread to the city’s suburbs, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Tragically, at least one person has lost their life due to the fire.
The wildfire has devastated around 10,000 hectares of land, according to satellite imagery from Greece’s National Observatory. This summer, repeated heatwaves have left the region’s pine forests tinder-dry, creating ideal conditions for such a disaster. June and July of this year were the hottest months ever recorded in Greece, which also experienced its warmest winter, according to reports.
Despite the ongoing fire, Athens Airport is currently operating as usual. Airline EasyJet has confirmed on X, that its flights to and from Athens are proceeding without interruption. However, Jet2 has advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys to Athens Airport, citing potential road closures due to the fire. The airline assured customers that it is closely monitoring the situation and that flights are still scheduled to operate as planned.
The UK Foreign Office has not yet issued an updated travel advisory for Greece in light of the Athens wildfires, but it maintains its general warning about the high risk of wildfires in the country during the summer months from April to October. Travelers are advised to register for alerts from the Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service and to visit Greece’s Civil Protection website for further updates.
The situation remains fluid, and travelers should stay informed and exercise caution if in or near affected areas.
FOLLOW FOR MORE.
