Firefront reaches Patras suburbs

A fast-moving wildfire reaches Patras suburbs, prompting evacuations and hospital precautions.

Wildfire reaches Patras suburbs evacuations ordered

A wildfire that began in Achaia has reached the Patras urban area, triggering evacuation orders for several neighborhoods including Aroi, Diakos, Girokomeio, Lykochoro and Romanso, with Souli, Riganokampos and Eglykada added later in the day. At around 6 p.m., 112 alerts directed residents to move toward the city center. Evacuees will be housed in the Pampeloponnesian Stadium while the Karamandaneio Children’s Hospital is evacuated and patients moved to the University General Hospital in Rio. A precautionary evacuation is also under way at the Konstantopouleio nursing home in Girokomeio. In an additional blow, authorities say about 550 cars stored outdoors at the Patras Customs Office have burned. National data show wildfires have burned roughly 10,000 hectares nationwide over the past two days, with about 2,000 hectares in Achaia.

The incident tests Patras’ emergency planning in a landscape where wildfires are becoming more common. The mayor’s remarks about scarce firefighting resources point to a broader debate over funding and rapid response capability across regions. Moving vulnerable patients and family groups under pressure highlights the human stakes when response times lag. The scale of material damage, including hundreds of burned vehicles, underscores the economic toll that goes beyond immediate displacement.

Highlights

Containment and clear communication will define the next phase of the response.