Paradise lost: Residents flee from two villages as firefighters battle to contain massive wall of flames on Greek Island
Paradise lost: Residents flee from two villages as firefighters battle to contain massive wall of flames on Greek Island
18 August 2012
published by www.dailymail.co.uk
Greece–– While thick black smoke billows from the mountains and acres of forest go up in flames, these two girls can only watch helplessly from the beach.
The Greek holiday island of Chios has been hit by wildfire, with villages evacuated and tourists forced to flee as strong winds fan the flames.
More than 200 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers are battling to control the devastating blaze, which began in the early hours of Friday.
At least three villages and tourist resorts have been evacuated and residents can only watch from the beach as fire consume the island.
Rescue forces report that strong winds are making it difficult to control the fire which is thought to have broken out in the early hours of Friday morning.
It is threatening ten villages on Chios and has moved very close to the Greek army base PAP near the Vessas village.
Local media reports that the smoke can be seen from the island of Crete, over 60 miles south of Chios.
The island is the fifth largest in the Greek archipelago and is a popular tourist destination with many tourists drawn to its scenery and medieval villages, which are now at risk.
It is not clear if the 11th century monastery of ‘Nea Moni’, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be saved from the flames but local media reports that the fire is likely to have caused substantial damage to the islands tourism industry.
All-consuming: Two girls are sat at the beach watching the roaring fire destroy the forests on the mountains as it move closed to the beach where evacuees from nearby villages have gatheredRefugees: The locals were forced to leave their homes when the forest fire got out of control – over 200 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers are trying to reign it in
