Areas around the city of Alexandroupolis, Greece, are engulfed by severe fires, with the situation remaining difficult and volatile due to complex meteorological conditions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on its website.
As of 7:00 p.m. on August 20, the “Egnatia Odos” highway in the direction of Bulgaria remains closed. The traffic to the “Captain Petko Voivoda” border crossing is carried out on the old national road from Alexandroupolis airport through Feres.
The Greek authorities warn that due to the impossibility of bringing the fires under control it is possible to open and close road sections at any moment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises to use the route through the Makaza checkpoint for greater security.
The department reminds that if assistance is needed, Bulgarian citizens can contact the Embassy of Bulgaria in Athens on the following telephone numbers: +30 210 67 48 107; +30 210 67 48 105; +30 210 67 48 106, as well as to the consulate general of the country in Thessaloniki on tel.: +30 2310 829 210 and on the duty phone during non-working hours: +30 2310 869 510. Questions can also be sent to the email addresses: embassy .athens@mfa.bg; embassbg@otenet.gr; consular.athens@mfa.bg; consulate.thessaloniki@mfa.bg. Signals and requests for assistance in disaster situations from Bulgarian citizens are also accepted 24/7 on the telephone lines of the “Situation Center” Directorate: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56 or by email: crisis@mfa.bg
The Greek publication in “Kathimerini” reported that the residents of three villages in the Evros region, North-Eastern Greece, were asked to evacuate due to the fire raging near Alexandroupolis.
The fire broke out yesterday. 48 fire engines with 176 personnel, 10 teams of pedestrians, seven firefighting aircraft and four helicopters are involved in its extinguishing activities. Efforts are concentrated on a large front of the fire, east of the village of Loutros, while the situation is better on other fronts. Houses were burned in the villages of Aetochori and Pefka, as well as a church in Aetochori.
Greek authorities yesterday evacuated eight villages near the northeastern border with Turkey, where the fire was raging, fanned by strong winds, the Associated Press reported.
Residents of Alexandroupolis were advised to keep their windows closed due to smoke drifting over the city as a result of the fire.
Another smaller forest fire broke out near Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. Firefighters earlier contained a fire on the western island of Kefalonia.
The fire service has declared a high alert for wildfires over the weekend.
Fires are also raging in our country – the worst is Burgas and Sakar mountains.
2023-08-20 18:37:11
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