Alexandroupolis, Greece — Eighteen bodies have been discovered in a forested area of northern Greece that has been ravaged by wildfires for the past four days. The Greek fire service has indicated that those who died may have been migrants, and a coroner and investigation team are en route to the scene near the Dadia forest. The Evros region, situated in north-eastern Greece near the Turkish border, has been severely affected by the fires. Amidst the blaze, a hospital in the city of Alexandroupolis had to be evacuated, with newborn babies and intensive care patients being relocated to a ferry at the port.
Flames have continued to rage across various parts of Greece, driven by high winds and temperatures exceeding 40°C. The fire risk level, including for the Athens area, remains “extreme.” The large wooded Dadia national park has been particularly affected, leading to emergency services sending text messages to local areas urging people to evacuate. Prior to the recent discovery of bodies, one death had already been reported in the region.
Additional eighteen bodies were found near a hut close to the village of Avantas. The possibility that the victims may have entered Greece illegally is being investigated, as there have been no reports of missing residents. The fire service has expressed concerns that the number of casualties could rise. The Evros region has become a popular route for migrants crossing from Turkey into the European Union. Alarm Phone, a migrant support group, has reported ongoing contact with migrants needing rescue from the fires.
Over the past three days, approximately 380,000 acres of land have burned in the Evros region alone. Firefighters are also dealing with significant outbreaks in other parts of Greece. The fire brigade has urged thousands of people to leave parts of the north-west Athens suburb of Ano Liosia. Fires have also led to evacuations in several villages on the island of Evia and in central Greece.
The flames have created a fiery glow in the outskirts of Alexandroupolis, and thick smoke blankets various regions of Greece. The situation remains challenging due to strong winds and high temperatures. Efforts are underway to manage the fires and protect affected areas as Greece contends with this ongoing crisis.
