Local sources from Greece: η ναυτεμπορικη, Dnews.
UK coverage: BBC.
The Greek island of Chios is grappling with a severe crisis as five separate wildfires, exacerbated by strong winds, have led to the evacuation of 17 communities and a state of emergency declaration. Initiating with three forest fires on Sunday, the situation worsened with two additional fronts emerging. The wildfires have not only engulfed homes, crops, and infrastructure but have also launched an arson investigation to uncover the causes behind the nearly simultaneous outbreaks. According to reports from η ναυτεμπορικη and Dnews, the crisis has further deepened due to significant disruptions in the island’s water supply, necessitating an emergency evacuation message from the 112 emergency service. Firefighting efforts face challenges from strong winds, with 190 firefighters, 11 commando units, 38 vehicles, helicopters, and canadair planes being deployed. The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, has announced investigations into the suspicious nature of the fires, noting the oddity of multiple fronts in geographically disparate areas. Meanwhile, the Municipal Water and Sewage Company of Chios Island (DEYANX) scrambles to manage a growing water crisis, exacerbated by power outages that have halted desalination units, boreholes, and pumping stations, threatening the water supply across the island. DEYANX President Prodromos Manolakis emphasized the community’s collective responsibility in facing these challenges, noting the significant hurdles in maintaining water supply autonomy due to the dispersed nature of the network’s facilities. The situation on Chios remains dire, with authorities and community members rallying to control the fires and mitigate the water crisis amidst strong winds and challenging conditions.
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