State of Emergency Declared as Fires Rage on Greek Island Chios

Several powerful forest fires are raging on the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea. The authorities have declared a state of emergency.

Minister of Civil Protection Ioannis Kefalogiannis says that the decision was made so that local authorities "can immediately take necessary measures".

The fires have been raging since the weekend. Among other things, nearly two hundred firefighters, twelve helicopters and four firefighting planes are participating in the extinguishing work.

Several villages have been evacuated, but there are no reports of injuries.