Tuesday, August 13, 2024 As Greece battles severe wildfires, with nearly half the country on ‘red alert,’ the repercussions are expected to be significant for the travel industry worldwide. The ongoing crisis has resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents and tourists, as firefighters struggle to control the rapidly spreading flames. The wildfires have spread dangerously close to popular tourist destinations, raising alarms across the globe and potentially disrupting international travel plans.
Firefighters in Greece have been battling the wildfires for over 48 hours, particularly in the Erithros and Nea Makri areas. The fires have proven difficult to contain due to a combination of strong winds, prolonged drought, and challenging terrain in the dense forests surrounding these regions. The situation has become so dire that the European Civil Protection Mechanism was activated, bringing international aid from countries such as Romania, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Canada, and France.
This international collaboration underscores the severity of the situation, as Greece struggles to manage the crisis on its own. The Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, expressed deep concern over the ongoing wildfires, stating that the residents of northeastern Attica have been facing an extremely dangerous situation for over 20 hours. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the strong winds and rugged terrain have made it difficult to bring t.