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13.08.2026.

21:15

Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO

Due to a wildfire raging out of control in the tourist resort of Siviri, on Greece’s Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki, 481 people were evacuated by sea today.

Izvor: Tanjug

Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO
Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

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The fire spread across agricultural and forested land, approached homes and caused property damage, the Greek Coast Guard said.

Strong winds are further fueling the blaze, while smoke is visible from several parts of Halkidiki, Kathimerini reported.

 

The Coast Guard said that the sea evacuation from Siviri beach is being carried out by a Coast Guard vessel, nine private boats and a passenger speedboat. Another Coast Guard vessel is also expected to join the evacuation shortly.

The devastating wildfire that broke out on Halkidiki, on the first peninsula, has reached Siviri, which is also a popular destination for many Serbian tourists.

The large fire that has been raging on Kassandra since noon has reached homes in Siviri, with dramatic scenes reported from the area.

The wildfire, which started in low vegetation before spreading into forested areas, has now reached the settlement of Siviri, where houses are reportedly burning.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains extremely difficult, with strong winds hampering firefighting efforts as fire crews struggle to contain the blaze.

 

According to reports, 285 people have so far been evacuated by sea from Siviri beach to the Sani marina, while another 196 are being transported by the “Speedrunner” vessel to the port of Thessaloniki, Proto Thema reported.

Earlier, a hotel in Fourka, Halkidiki, where Ukrainian children were staying, was also evacuated.

Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO
Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

A total of 155 firefighters are involved in battling the blaze on the ground, along with four teams of forest commandos from the 2nd EMODE unit and 59 vehicles. Local authorities are also providing assistance, along with water tankers and construction machinery. From the air, nine aircraft and seven helicopters have been deployed, one of them for coordination.

Shortly after 3 p.m., Greece’s emergency warning system 112 issued an evacuation order for residents of Siviri, directing them toward Mola Kaliva. At around 4 p.m., another warning was issued ordering residents of Fourka to evacuate toward Skioni.

Power line collapse caused the fire?

The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that there is suspicion that strong winds knocked down a power transmission pole, causing a spark that ignited the vegetation.

Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO
Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

The situation is perhaps best summed up by a statement from former Kassandra mayor Kostas Papagiannis, who is at the scene.

“The fire has reached Siviri. It is a major disaster,” Papagiannis said, describing the situation.

The flames have now reached the settlement itself, while residents and tourists are leaving the area, following the instructions of the authorities.

Civil Protection issued the following warning: “If you are in the area of Siviri in the regional unit of Halkidiki, move toward Mola Kaliva. Follow the instructions of the authorities.”

Serbian tourists staying in this part of Greece have reported receiving the wildfire warning.

“We’re in Kallithea and we received a warning,” tourists said. “A warning has also arrived in Hanioti,” they added.

Panagiotis Tsioulikis, president of the Halkidiki Medical Association, urged residents and visitors to immediately follow the instructions issued by the 112 emergency number, the Fire Service and Civil Protection.

He said that the fire currently raging in Siviri is “putting Kassandra and its residents to the test,” urging everyone not to attempt to approach areas where the fire is spreading and not to delay their departure in order to collect personal belongings. 

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

Galerija Požar u Siviriju

 

Take only what is essential

Extra caution is also needed because of the smoke, with older people, children, pregnant women, and those with heart or respiratory conditions particularly vulnerable.

People are advised to limit movement and physical activity in areas where the air is polluted. Those who need to leave the area should take essential medication for chronic conditions with them.

In the event of severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, loss of consciousness or a serious deterioration in health, Panagiotis Tsioulikis, president of the Halkidiki Medical Association, recommends seeking medical assistance immediately.

Tsioulikis also appealed for calm, responsibility and cooperation, stressing that unverified information should not be spread and that people should follow official instructions, as the situation can change very quickly.

“Our thoughts are with the residents and visitors of this area, as well as with all those currently on the front lines working to protect human lives and our country,” the president of the Halkidiki Medical Association said.

Movement ban

Following the wildfire in Halkidiki, Greece activated Copernicus, the European Union’s Emergency Management Service, to support Greek agencies dealing with the emergency caused by the fire.

The European Union accepted the request, and a range of mapping data and products based on the analysis of satellite imagery is expected to become available immediately.

The fire broke out at a time when Halkidiki had been placed under an increased wildfire risk level.

Authorities announced a temporary ban on pedestrian and vehicle traffic in forested areas of the municipalities of Kassandra, Sithonia and Aristotelis.

Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO
Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos

The measures will take effect tomorrow.

In Kassandra and Sithonia, they will be in force from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while in the municipality of Aristotelis, where the fire risk has been assessed as very high, they will remain in effect until 8 a.m. Saturday.

Police will monitor access to forest roads, and people found in restricted areas may be removed.

The exception is volunteers engaged in wildfire prevention efforts.

The ban applies to parts of the Kassandra and Sithonia peninsulas, as well as the area between Komitsa and Ouranoupoli and the area around Stratoni in Aristotelis.

 
Siviri in flames, dramatic footage emerges: Houses burning, Serbs caught in the blaze VIDEO
Tanjug/AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos
 

Authorities have urged residents and tourists to follow the instructions of the relevant services, warning that violating the ban carries a fine of €300.

Separate forest fires also broke out today near Vartholomio in the western Peloponnese, in the region of Ilia, as well as near Makinia, close to Nafpaktos.

In both cases, firefighting crews and aerial firefighting aircraft have been deployed, while residents have been urged to exercise increased caution.

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Halkidiki Fire Greece Evacuation Siviri

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