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Strong fires forced tourists to the island of Samos to break their summer vacation and leave the hotel rooms. The fires erupted in the late Monday afternoon in the Maratokabo and Limionas areas. They grew quickly and police and military forces on the island had to evacuate tourists that arrived on holiday. Tourist busses took part in the action too. There are no victims of fire disaster so far.

The fire spread to the both areas of the island and formed several large outbreaks that were nearly 7 km long in the evening. The rapid expansion of the fire was due to strong wind. It exceeded even the seventh level of the Beaufort scale in some places. The situation came to a boil late in the evening when the fire came down to the houses of the villages Maratokambo and Karlovasi. At risk were the first houses of the village of Votsalakya.

Unlike the fire that broke out on the island a few days ago, this time not the ground, but the trees were in flames. The active outbreaks were easier to locate because of the formed huge clouds of fire. But it was impossible to use water carrying airplanes. Instead, rescuers were forced to use helicopters. Fire fighting lasted all night. There were 26 firemen, 13 fire vehicles, 88 people from the foot department, 50 volunteers and 4 helicopters.

Currently the fire is contained for the most part, and only two outbreaks remained active. Although there is no burning fire, firefighter teams will remain in place for fear of new ignitions.  

Fires that broke out yesterday in the forest area of Porto Germeno are under control as well as the fire that exploded in Arkalohori in Iraklio on Crete in the afternoon. 12 firefighters, 4 fire vehicles, 1 foot department and 1 helicopter extinguished the fires.