The fire that has been burning since yesterday in the area of Xylokastro, Corinthia, is taking a tragic turn as early today OPKE police found two charred bodies near the village of Elliniko in the area where the two men who have been missing since Sunday night were moving. So far, however, it remains unknown if the bodies belong to the 35-year-old and the 40-year-old who took their motorbikes and moved towards the corral of their acquaintance to help him in the Ano Pitsa area of Corinthia.
It is noted that firefighters met them on the way and urged them to move away, as there was a fire in progress.
At the same time, the fire brigade continues to fight the flames, while an order has been given so far to urgently remove the residents of 6 villages from their homes. The newest 112 message at 05:00 on Monday morning called the residents of the area in Pyrgos Corinthias to move away to Zacholis.
According to reports, late last night the flames reached the village of Elliniko and there are reports that houses were burnt, while due to the strong north-west winds the thick smoke from the fiery inferno has reached Corinth.
It was also announced by the municipality of Xylokastro - Eurostini that today the schools in the area will remain closed.
"The safety of students and residents is our absolute priority, and we ask all parents and guardians to be regularly informed by the Municipality's official communication channels of any further developments. Thank you for your understanding and we remain at your disposal", says the relevant communication.
The firefighting work is quite difficult due to the strong winds in the area. In the evening, the forces were reinforced and 330 firefighters with 11 groups of pedestrian units, 110 vehicles, and 14 aircraft and 10 helicopters, of which two for coordination of aerial means, periodically operated until the last light of day. Volunteers, water tankers and work machines of the Peloponnese Region as well as two work machines of the Ministry of Defense are also helping.
At 05:07 on Monday morning, 112 rang again, this time calling the residents of the area in Pyrgos Corinthias to move away to Zacholis. Essentially, it was the same warning as the one at 6 pm on Sunday, however the wind turned the fire back towards the Corinthia Tower so an announcement was made again.
Shortly after midnight, a message was sent from 112 for the residents of Korfiotissa Korinthia to move away to Vryssoules and Xanthohori.
Earlier, shortly before 23.00:XNUMX p.m., residents were called from Ano Loutro Corinthia to move to Kato Loutro.
The work of the fire department is difficult, as the fire is burning in a difficult place, near canyons, while at the same time, the winds are strong and make extinguishing difficult.
In addition, it was reported that fire damage has been caused to the cabin of a fire engine.
"We are facing a very difficult situation"
"Unfortunately, we are faced with a very difficult situation, due to the fire, in the area of Rosene Xylokastro and the neighboring communities", says the deputy governor of Corinth, Anastasios Giolis, speaking to APE-MPE.
In fact, as he adds, "the situation becomes even more difficult, due to the winds blowing in the area".
According to Anastasios Giolis, "the fire endangers both property and the natural environment, but the Fire Department is here and is constantly working to extinguish it."
"At the same time", he continues, "the residents of the communities, as well as the volunteers, are fighting their own battle together with the firefighters".
Also, the deputy governor tells APE-MPE that "we ask the residents to strictly follow the instructions of the authorities and stay in safe places".
According to the deputy governor, "so far there are no reports of houses that may have been burned by the fire."
112 messages were sent to residents
A third 112 message sounded warning the residents of Elliniko to move away in the direction of Kato Pitsa.
The second 112 message was sent, shortly before 18:00, to the residents of the Pyrgos Korinthia area to evacuate to Zacholis due to an ongoing fire.
Specifically, the message states: "If you are in the area of Pyrgos Corinthia, move away towards Zacholis. Follow the authorities' instructions."
A warning message via 112 was sent, a little earlier, to those who are in the wider area of Rosenen Corinthia in order to stay ready due to the ongoing fire. In particular, the message states: "Forest fire in the wider area of Rosenen, Corinthia. Stay ready. Follow the authorities' instructions."
Battle with the flames in Rozena Xylokastro
The fire broke out around 10.51 in an agroforestry area and then spread to a forest area.
Corinthia: Fire in Rosena Xylokastro
It is noted that according to information, the personnel of the Fire Services in Attica, Central Greece, Western Greece and Peloponnese were put on general alert.
Emergency meeting of Civil Protection
A coordinating meeting was held in Civil Protection under the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilia, regarding the fire in Rosena Corinthia.
The meeting was attended by relevant ministries, representatives of the security forces, the armed forces of EKAB as well as all the agencies involved.
Source: protothema.gr