Two Tourists Die in Greece as Gale-force Winds Ignite Wildfires

Two Vietnamese tourists tragically lost their lives at sea in Greece on July 7, 2023, as gale-force winds not only confined ferries to port but also ignited wildfires across the region. The coastguard reported that a man and a woman were found unconscious at Sarakiniko beach on the island of Milos, a popular tourist destination in the Cyclades. According to a coastguard spokeswoman, the woman fell into the water, prompting the man to attempt a rescue.

The strong winds, which reached gusts of up to 88 kilometres per hour (54 miles per hour), particularly affected the southern Aegean and the Sea of Crete. The civil protection ministry warned that these conditions would significantly impact summer travel plans for tens of thousands of tourists.

Emergency Response and Firefighting Efforts

Firefighters faced numerous challenges as they battled wildfires near Athens and on Cephalonia. Costas Tsigkas, head of the association of Greek firefighter officers, stated that over 200 firefighters were deployed to combat a significant fire in Keratea, located southeast of Athens. He described the situation as “difficult,” citing the wind gusts that hindered firefighting efforts and led to the evacuation of several communities.

Local mayor, Dimitris Loukas, reported that the fire front stretched approximately seven kilometres, putting homes at risk. “The wind complicates efforts to douse the blaze from the air,” he explained during an interview with ERT state television. Fortunately, the fire on Cephalonia was reported to be under control by local officials.

According to the National Weather Service (EMY), the strong winds are expected to weaken after midnight, potentially offering some relief to the affected areas.

Travel Disruptions and Tourist Reactions

As the wild weather continued, the coastguard announced that most ferries were unable to operate as scheduled from Piraeus and other Athens ports, particularly to the Cyclades or Dodecanese islands. Numerous ferry services were cancelled or postponed, leading to significant disruptions for travelers.

At Piraeus, crowds gathered outside a ferry bound for the Cycladic islands of Paros and Naxos, anxiously awaiting updates on their travel plans. Stranded tourists, surrounded by rucksacks and suitcases, formed long queues outside ticket offices, desperately attempting to rearrange their journeys.

“There are huge lines, huge commotion, everyone is waiting in the sun, and it’s a very tough time,” said Philip Elias, an American tourist.

Sergi Gros, a 51-year-old civil servant from Spain, expressed frustration over his travel experience. He arrived at 6:45 in the morning only to learn that his ferry to the island of Astypalea had been cancelled. “There’s a total lack of information,” he remarked, adding that he now faced difficulties securing last-minute accommodations in Athens.

While the strong winds have caused significant disruptions, maritime connections with the Saronic islands near Athens, including Aegina, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses, remain unaffected.

Greece often experiences strong winds during this time of year, and firefighters have battled several major wildfires this summer, including incidents on the islands of Evia and Chios and in the western Peloponnese. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, many hope for calmer weather to restore normalcy for tourists and residents alike.