Greece: At least 18 suspected migrants killed in forest fire, dozens evacuated from hospital

At least 18suspected migrants were found dead on Tuesday (August 22)in a forest fire raging in northeastern Greece, said afire department official. This comes after dozens of patients were evacuated from a hospital onto a ferry after out-of-control wildfires continued to rage near the Greek port city of Alexandroupolis for a fourth day.

The blaze also continued to spread in the Greek islands of Evia and Boeotia in central Greece, which has since prompted the evacuationof several villages.

Migrant deaths

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Fire brigade spokesperson Ioannis Artopios, as per AFP, said that thebodies were found in a rural area south of the village of Avantas in northern Greece.

"Given that there have been no reports of disappearances or missing residents from the surrounding areas, the possibility that these are people who entered the country illegally is being investigated," said thefire brigade official.

He added, "Searches throughout the entire area where the fire broke out are ongoing."

Hospital evacuated

A report by Reuters citing officials said that at least 65 patients had been evacuated from the University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, on early Tuesday as a precaution onto a ferry – turned into a makeshift hospital – in the port, while others were reportedly taken to other hospitals in northern Greece.

Firefighters have been struggling to contain the blaze that broke out near Alexandroupolis, a major port close to Greece’s north-eastern border with Turkey, on Saturday and quickly spread.

Among those evacuated were newborn babies and intensive care patients. The reports of explosions in the hospital area were blamed on oxygen bottles, reported BBC. Images and videos from near the hospital show a massive wall of flames racing through the forest towards the city.

The coast guard evacuated 14 people by sea overnight from a nearby coastal area toAlexandroupolis. This comes after a school, several homes and a cemetery were damaged in two villages near the port city.

More than 200 firefighters were battling the flames supported by four aeroplanes and three helicopters in Alexandroupolis and nearby areas, reported the Associated Press.

Wildfires across Greece

Media reports citing officials saidthe blazes have also left two firefighters injured in northern and central Greece, as of Monday. Separately, alocal police official told Reuters, that they foundthe burned body of a man believed to be a migrant in a rural area in Lefkimi, near Alexandroupolis.

While the firefighting efforts across Greece continue, the flames, fanned by gale-force winds and high temperatures, sent plumes of smoke above the city and turned the night sky bright red.

Wildfires were also reported on the island of Evia near Athens, as well as on the island of Kythnos and in Viotia in central Greece. Officials have also ordered evacuations near the Aspropyrgos area on the western fringes of the Greek capital, on Tuesday morning, after a new fire broke out.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.