Burak Bir
July 27, 2023•Update: July 28, 2023
LONDON
A wildfire whipped by strong winds triggered a series of blasts at an ammunition dump in central Greece on Thursday.
Local media said the blaze reached the facility, located around 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) north of a major military air base in Nea Anchialos.
Although the blasts shattered windows of homes in the surrounding area, no injuries were reported as the site had been safely evacuated in advance.
Fires have raged across parts of Greece in the past few days, triggering the evacuation of tourists on the island of Rhodes.
Meanwhile, citing the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry, Greek news agency AMNA said there was "a very high risk of fire" in the regions of Attica, central Greece, the Peloponnese, southern Aegean, northern Aegean and Crete.
"Hellenic Air Force aircraft were being relocated from the military airport at Nea Anchialos, near Volos, after regional wildfires spread close to the base," AMNA said.
"The order was issued on Thursday evening following explosions at a munitions depot that were heard in Volos and the greater area, breaking several windows in the Nea Anchialos region," it added.
The air base houses the Tactical Air Force's 111 Combat Wing.
Greek authorities have advised people to be "exceptionally careful" and avoid any activity in the open that could accidentally cause a fire.
Earlier, the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Greece is seeing its "most intense wildfire emissions" for July on record.
