Updated 14.03 | Published 13.52
unsaveSave
A forest fire ravages the island of Andros in Greece.
A large cloud of smoke is visible over the island’s capital and residents are warned.
– We saw houses that were very close to the fire, so it is clear that you will be affected, says Swedish tourist Stina Bernström.
expand-left
full screenStina Bernström, 50, is on holiday on the island of Andros, where a large forest fire has broken out. Photo: Private
The forest fire on the Greek island of Andros broke out just after 12 noon on Saturday.
Several firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire and two airplanes and two helicopters are on their way to the island to help from the air, several Greek media reports.
expand-left
full screen
chevron-rightnext
The fire broke out at 12 o’clock on Saturday.
1 / 2Photo: Private
Swedish Stina Bernström, 50, and her family have been on holiday on the island for a week now. During an excursion to the other side of the island, they saw a large cloud of smoke.
– When we drove through a small village, everyone stood in the streets and looked up at the mountain. We had planned to have lunch in the city of Andros, but now we have changed the plan, she says.
The authorities warn: “Scary”
Shortly after the family saw the fire, a warning was sent to all phones:
“There is a forest fire in your immediate area. Follow the authority’s instructions”.
– It was a bit scary when we were going to leave as there was a queue at the promenade, but we managed to get away.
expand-left
fullscreen Helicopters and airplanes on their way to put out the fire. Photo: Private
Extreme heat in Greece
Aftonbladet has previously reported on the extreme heat that hit Europe in several places. The early heat wave has had devastating consequences in Greece, where as many as five tourists have died in the heat within the space of just eleven days.
On the Greek island of Crete, 44.5 degrees were measured on Thursday. However, Stina Bernström and her family have been lucky.
– The week before we came to Andros it was terrible. Now it’s around 27-30 degrees, so it works, she says.
At 1:30 p.m., a new message came that the fire is partially under control.