Wildfire forces evacuation of tourists and locals in Greece's Halkidiki resorts

Strong winds have driven a wildfire through forested areas near the holiday resorts of Halkidiki, prompting both tourists and locals to abandon the villages of Siviri and Kassandreia by road and water. Over 140 firefighters are on the scene, supported by nine aircraft, seven helicopters and a fleet of fire boats, with additional private boats and the Coast Guard helping to move beach visitors to safety. The flames have consumed trees and homes, creating thick plumes of smoke that turned the clear sky dark gray.

Traffic along the main thoroughfare has been stopped, and one firefighter was reported injured during the response. Fire brigade spokesman Giannis Artopios said the priority is to put out the fire and secure the evacuation of people. The incident follows a summer of severe heatwaves across Europe that have left vegetation extremely dry, fueling large wildfires in Spain, France and Greece.