Another island is evacuated: 'Area engulfed in fire'

Corfu

New Greek island is evacuated - heavy fire ravages Corfu 

 

 Nelly Kronstrand  

 

Updated 22:51 | Published 21:56 News  

 

At the same time that fires are raging on the Greek island of Rhodes, the country's emergency services are now faced with yet another challenge.  

 

A heavy fire has broken out on the island of Corfu and at least 18 areas must be evacuated. 

 

 - From my hotel I see big, big flames, says Swedish Anna Sellén, who is on the island.  

 

The boards light up the darkness around the island of Corfu. Photo: Reader picture  

 

For several days, the fires have ravaged the Greek tourist island of Rhodes and thousands of people have been evacuated.  

 

Now another fire has broken out – on the island of Corfu, which is on the other side of the mainland.  

 

The Swedish Anna Sellén and her family are on site.  

 

- From my hotel I see big, big flames. The sky is completely orange and it smells from the strong fire smoke, she says.  

Warning sent by the Greek authorities. People who are in Viglatouri and Nisáki are asked to evacuate to Barbati. Photo: Reader picture  

 

Forced to evacuate  

 

The Greek authorities have been forced to evacuate at least 18 areas on Corfu, reports Sky news. 

  

Evacuation SMS has been sent to people in the areas of Porta, Megoula, Sinies, Santa, Paleo Perithia and Kassiopi. 

 

No such warning has been issued for the area where the Sellén family's hotel is located. 

 

- We came here yesterday and are actually going to stay for a week, but we'll see how it turns out. Right now it feels very uncomfortable, says Anna Sellén.  

 

The fire is spreading on several fronts, but is worst north and south of Pantokrator's mountain top, according to ERT News.

 

Several people testify that the fire is visible across the water from the mainland and Sarandë in Albania.  

- It does not look good. Heavy smoke rises from the island and we see large areas engulfed in fire, says Swedish Jesper, who witnessed the fire from Sarandë. 

 

Apollo: We monitor developments  

 

Travel company Apollo states that they have just over 300 Nordic travelers on the island, of which 47 are Swedes. 

 

- None of our travelers are in areas affected by the fire. We follow and monitor the development of the fire and of course follow up, says Martina Krantz, press officer at Apollo.

Photo: Reader image