Sources close to the Greek fire service confirm a catastrophic wildfire is tearing through the country's northern region, forcing mass evacuations and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Uncovered emergency reports reveal that the blaze, which began near the town of Alexandroupolis, has already consumed thousands of hectares of forest and farmland, with winds complicating containment efforts. Firefighters, many pulled from neighbouring districts, are struggling against extreme conditions: temperatures above 40 Celsius and gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour.
At least two people have been confirmed dead, and emergency services fear the toll may rise as rescue teams reach isolated villages. Local officials have declared a state of emergency, calling for EU assistance under the bloc's Civil Protection Mechanism. The fire, one of dozens that have erupted across Greece this summer, is the latest in a string of disasters linked to climate change.
Corporate interests that stripped fire-prone areas for development remain unaccountable. I've seen the documents: land use permits issued without environmental reviews, a pattern of negligence that prioritises profit over lives. As flames approach residential zones, the government's response faces scrutiny.
Questions linger: why were prevention budgets slashed last year? Who approved construction in these tinderbox regions? The answers are buried in ministerial briefs I have independently reviewed.
For now, the focus is on the front line: exhausted crews rotating in 12-hour shifts, volunteers distributing water, and the grim task of counting the cost. The wealthy escape to their islands. The rest?
They fight or flee.
