RHODES: A wildfire, fueled by strong winds, caused a series of massive explosions at an air force ammunition depot in central Greece on Thursday. Concurrently, firefighters battled to control numerous blazes across the country. The fire at the ammunition depot occurred in the Volos area of central Greece’s Magnissia region, approximately 6 kilometers (4 miles) north of the major military air base in Nea Anchialos.
Fortunately, there were no injuries at the ammunition depot as it had been evacuated before the explosions. However, the powerful blasts shattered windows in the surrounding area. The Greek air force swiftly moved F-16 fighter jets from a nearby base to another facility as a precautionary measure. The base itself did not face any immediate threat.
Wildfire Crisis Exacerbated in Greece
The wildfire crisis in Greece has been exacerbated by three successive Mediterranean heatwaves over the past two weeks, leading to five fatalities, including two firefighting pilots. The situation has triggered emergency evacuations, as seen on the island of Rhodes where tourists were urgently moved.
The Volos area blaze emerged as the most dangerous among the 124 wildfires tackled by the fire service on Thursday. The fire burned on three fronts and forced the closure of a section of Greece’s busiest highway for several hours. Additionally, national rail services passing through the affected area experienced delays.
As the wildfire crisis continues, authorities have been engaged in evacuation efforts to safeguard residents and visitors. In the coastal village of Anchialos, located approximately 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) from the blast site, people were evacuated by sea and land. Water-dropping helicopters and ground crews have been working tirelessly to combat the blazes.
Greece’s Firefighting Forces Facing Challenges
Greece’s firefighting forces are facing significant challenges amid the ongoing heatwaves and extreme weather conditions. In a separate wildfire in Kifissia, just north of Athens, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.
The country’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, acknowledged the severity of the climate crisis affecting the Mediterranean region during a meeting with Greece’s president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The situation is raising concerns about the long-term impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and intensity.
The wildfire carbon emissions for July in Greece have reached an unprecedented level, with a total of over 1 metric megaton, doubling the previous record in the last 20 years. The extreme conditions are pushing firefighters to their limits and prompting discussions on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
In a solemn ceremony held at the Defense Ministry, the Greek armed forces paid tribute to two pilots who lost their lives during firefighting operations. Captain Christos Moulas and Lieutenant Pericles Stephanidis were honored for their selfless dedication to duty.
