Wildfires have turned the central part of the idyllic Greek island of Chios to ashes.
Five blazes broke out on Greece’s fifth-largest isle between Sunday (22 Jun) and Monday (23 Jun) morning.
It comes as hundreds of thousands of Brits prepare for their summer holidays to the country.
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An estimated 4.5million people from the UK head to Greece each year.
As of this morning (25 Jun), there are no active fronts on the island, which is separated from Turkey by a narrow strait.
However, aerial firefighting units are still operating due to fears of flare-ups.
By midday on Tuesday (24 Jun), more than 6,000 hectares (14,826 acres) of agricultural and forested land had been devastated by the flames.
The fires were so severe that a state of emergency was declared and several villages were evacuated.
More than 400 firefighters were involved in the efforts to contain the blazes, which were complicated by strong winds and difficult terrain.
The wildfires have caused damage and destruction to houses, businesses, and infrastructure, including the local water supply and power grid.
The island’s main town, also called Chios, is among the localities affected by the fires, as reported by Need To Know.
The emergency phase is now over, and while some of the isle’s famed mastic trees have been damaged, most are unscathed.
Authorities believe the fires on Chios – which is home to the UNESCO-listed Nea Moni Monastery – may have been caused by “organised” arson.
Greek Climate Crisis minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said: “When fires break out simultaneously in so many scattered locations, we must speak of suspicious activity.”
An investigation is underway.
The remains of animals found in the aftermath of the wildfire. (Jam Press/Patrida Chios)
