Greek tourist resort threatened by fires

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 09:29Updated 11:42

 

Firefighters struggle to extinguish a fire in the terrain near Porto Germeno on Saturday. Photo: Michael Varaklas /AP/TT

Hundreds of firefighters are fighting to save a popular holiday resort on the Greek coast, northwest of Athens.

Meanwhile, strong winds have continued to sweep across the country, making extinguishing work difficult.

The fire department said on Saturday morning that more than 300 firefighters were working in the area around Porto Germeno, about 70 kilometers northwest of Athens.

“At the moment there is no way to put out the fire. We are trying, but the wind is so strong,” a person involved in extinguishing the fire told AFP.

The fire broke out on Friday. Residents initially ignored calls from the civil defense to evacuate, and around 300 people were later rescued by sea. Around 150 homes were reportedly damaged.

An “extreme fire risk” warning has been issued for Saturday in Greater Athens, parts of the Peloponnese and Crete, central Greece and the border area with Turkey.