Fire in Xylokastro: Battle continues on two fronts – Athens-Patras highway remains closed

Facing a firefront up to 32 kilometers long, the Corinthia region is battling for the third consecutive day as the fire destroys forested areas, causing immeasurable ecological damage.

The firefighters’ battle against the fire in Xylokastro continues on two fronts, one of which is near the Patras-Corinth highway, where traffic has been halted since last night.

At the scene, 390 firefighters with 16 forest commando teams and 115 vehicles, volunteers, and Civil Protection volunteer groups, as well as water tanks and heavy machinery from the Peloponnese Region and the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, along with the Forest Service and the Hellenic Police, are all engaged. The Minister of Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, also visited the scene in Rozena, where he chaired a meeting at the mobile command center “Olympus” of the Fire Department.

Residents of the areas around Trikala Corinthias endured a night of anxiety as the flames dangerously approached the mountain village.

The fire, which began on Sunday in the Rozena area, remains uncontrollable for the third consecutive day, leaving behind two dead, burned forests, crops, and infrastructure. The firefront continues to move relentlessly toward Trikala Corinthias, with new outbreaks being recorded towards Xanthochori and Vrysoules.

The mayor of Xylokastro-Evrostini, Vlasis Tsiotos, described the situation as “tragic,” with many active fire outbreaks consuming large parts of the mountainous region.

Late last night, residents of Trikala Corinthias, watching the flames approach, spent the night in breathless anticipation. “We prayed all night that the wind wouldn’t blow,” a local resident told protothema.gr. “The flames were visible and heading toward our village. We could do nothing, only hope that the wind wouldn’t pick up and give us some time.” The threat to the tourist mountain village of Trikala is severe, with authorities and firefighters battling to halt the fire’s advance.

At the same time, the mayor notes that the situation in many villages in the area is dire, with residents and firefighters fighting flames literally within the settlements. Authorities are struggling to prevent the fire from spreading to Karya and Trikala, where it has not yet reached, but the danger remains significant.

Regarding the damage, initial estimates indicate a total loss of crops, while many homes have been damaged. The passage of the fire through the municipality of Xylokastro-Evrostini caused enormous destruction, including the complete burning of the historic church of Panagia of the Catacombs in Zacholi.

The night left indelible marks on the Corinthia region, as firefighting forces and residents prepare for another difficult day. The magnitude of the ecological disaster is already incalculable, and the risk of flare-ups remains high.

The municipality of Xylokastro-Evrostini announced that, due to the emergency situation caused by the fire, all schools in the municipality will remain closed today, Tuesday.

“The safety of the students and residents is our absolute priority, and we urge all parents and guardians to stay informed through the official communication channels of the municipality for any further developments. Thank you for your understanding, and we remain at your disposal. Stay safe,” said the municipality.

It should be noted that the fire broke out yesterday, Sunday morning, in a densely vegetated forest area in Rozena, Xylokastro Corinthias, and an order was given for the emergency evacuation of six villages.

Two men, aged 35 and 40, lost their lives when the fire surrounded them near the village of Elliniko in Xylokastro as they were trying to reach a friend’s sheepfold on Sunday night. According to Deputy Governor of Corinthia, Anastasios Giolis, one of the two was the father of three children, while the second was expecting his third child in a few months.

“They were exceptional people who, out of love for their fellow villagers, ran to help,” added Mr. Giolis, who is from the same village as the two unfortunate men.

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