GREECE: Tourists vacationing in Halkidiki talk about their ordeal, decide to leave after fire ravages region

Tourists vacationing on the Halkidiki peninsula talked about their ordeal and decided to pack up and leave on Tuesday after a huge fire caused the evacuation of hundreds from hotels and homes. German, Dutch and Czech tourists staying at a local hotel told reporters they had decided it was too dangerous to stay and were planning to leave. Greek fire-fighters tried to bring the blaze, burning since Monday (August 21) evening under control on the Halkidiki peninsula on Tuesday (August 22) saying only one large front was troubling them, while many evacuated tourists returned to their hotels after being given the clear signal. One tourist died by drowning while trying to evacuate his hotel by boat after more than a thousand tourists fled by ship, bus and on foot, as the fire swept past two hotels and houses. Hundreds of tourists had fled to the beach in panic to escape the flames, telling witnesses smoke from the fire had filled their rooms. Thirty five boats, from coast guard vessels, private boats and fishing boats reached the shores to evacuate the travellers to safer distances. Red Cross Ambulances arrived in the region to help in the evacuation and conduct medical checks. Local officials said they estimate more than 11,000 acres of land, 100 houses, and several vehicles had been destroyed after the fire erupted in a forest and spread to surrounding villages in the prefecture of Kassandra on the Halkidiki peninsula. Tourists told witnesses they could see the horizon turning red from the flames and headed towards water. The fire swept intro campgrounds and a local farm killing hundreds of livestock including chickens, goats and pigs. Ten firefighting planes, 3 helicopters, 255 firemen, 77 fire engines, 6 bulldozers and two army divisions were called in to maintain the fire through the day. Most of the about 50 people admitted to local hospitals and clinics for respiratory problems and burns overnight had left hospital on Tuesday hospital officials said. The fire erupted late on Monday as a heatwave swept across the country raising temperatures above 42 degrees celsius. Strong winds caused the fire to spread beyond the control of fire-fighters, who were working without fireplanes through the night

ITN Source | August 23, 2006

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