Fire horror in Greece: 18 bodies found in the forest

The bodies of 18 people were found in the forest area of ​​the Evros region, where fires continue in Greece. Greek media reported that the bodies found in the town of Avantas were thought to belong to illegal immigrants.

Authorities also noted that they thought these people were immigrants because there were no reports of missing persons in the region. The region is known as the main route for illegal immigrants trying to cross from Turkey into Europe.

While the four-day wildfires in the Greek port city of Alexandroupoli still could not be brought under control, some of the patients were taken by ambulance to hospitals in nearby provinces after the fire approached the garden of Alexandroupolis University Hospital.

Some patients, including about 30 people treated in the intensive care unit, were transferred to the tents set up in Alexandroupoli and to the ferry. After the evacuation, explosion sounds were heard from the hospital, thought to be caused by oxygen cylinders.

The 130-person nursing home in Alexandroupoli was evacuated as a precaution as the fire approached. Many houses and buildings were burned in the Alexandroupoli and Meriç regions, and agricultural areas were damaged. Many settlements were evacuated for security reasons. Public spaces, such as the gym, were opened for evacuees.

NEAR THE MILITARY AIRPORT

In Greece, it was reported that the fire in Aspropyrgos approached the Elefsina airport, which belongs to the Armed Forces. According to the news of the Greek State Television ERT, the fire, which has been going on for 4 days, approached the military airport of Elefsina, where the 112th Battle Wing is located. The firefighters, who arrived in the region, began to work to prevent the fire from reaching the military airport.

Work began to prevent the fire from entering the interior of the airport. In a message sent to their mobile phones from the Civil Protection Unit, citizens were asked not to go out and to keep doors and windows closed so as not to be affected by excess smoke in the area. Some settlements in Aspropyrgos, which were in danger of fire, were evacuated.

THE MONASTERY IS EMPTY

The fire in Fili in the Attiki region also came close to the Kliston Monastery. Teams affiliated with the Greek Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) took steps to evacuate the monks and citizens of the monastery. Due to the fire that reached the settlements of Fili, some houses succumbed to the flames.

THE SMOKE REACHES 950 KM

According to the map published by the Greek Meteorological Department, smoke from the fire in the Evros Region, the easternmost tip of the country, reached 950 kilometers to the southwest. Smoke from the fires across the country covered an area of ​​110,000 square kilometers.

Although wildfires are common in Greece during the summer months, they have increased in recent years due to unusually hot, dry and windy weather that scientists have linked to climate change.

In July, more than 20,000 foreign tourists had to leave the holiday island of Rhodes as week-long wildfires destroyed hotels and resorts.

OFFER OF HELP FROM Türkiye

Meanwhile, Turkey has made an offer of assistance to Greece in fighting the ongoing fires in the cities of Alexandroupolis and Rhodope.

According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, an offer was made to send 2 planes, 2 helicopters and a 60-person ground support team to Greece to fight the ongoing fires in the cities of Alexandroupoli and Rhodope. The proposal was presented yesterday to the Greek authorities. (AGENCIES)