Two ESC hosts on heat wave; huge fire in capital Athens

on 28 June oikotimes.com reported

Two recent Eurovision Song Contest host countries, Turkey (2004) and Greece (2006) are suffering from severe heat waves which in some regions approached the 46 (in Greece) and 51 (in Turkey) degrees.

The entire state of Greece is on high alert as huge fires occurred today. The fires cannot be controlled and many of them created in Power Plant facilities. Already many black outs occur in the several cities and the power and telephone network of Greece is in critical condition. The Greek government is on high alert and the entire Fire Department and the Army are on red alert.

Greece so far has 7 confirmed deaths from the heat wave. In the capital Athenians experience one of the worst fires close to the city. The mountain of Parnitha is entirely on fire, the casino was evacuated and the Telecommunication and TV stations antennas are at risk. At the moment there is no possibility for fire department air planes to fly over as it is night. The Greek media are all night on breaking news. Lately it was reported that 2 persons died in Magnisia (central Greece) due to the fire.

In Turkey the situation is close to similar. There are no fires reported so far but the temperature is extremely high for the past 3 days. Even 51 degrees Celsius were reported. A result of the world climate change? At this moment there are people to be saved therefore no one will be able to ask this question to himself.

22:00 CET UPDATEIt is reported that the facilities in the mountain of Parnitha (casino, mobile and radio-telecommunication facilities, army facilities) have been evacuated. Along with the rest of the fires in Greece, the entire state is on foot. At Dervenakia the fire no longer threats the South Greece from major black out, SKAI Television reports.

22:28 CET UPDATENorth parts of the Greek capital are evacuating with their private cars causing a small chaos in the region since the vehicles of the regional Municipalities and Fire Department cannot approach the region. At the moment the hotel located on the top of the mountain Mon Parnes is 300 meters away from the fire. The Parnitha mountain is extremely important to Athens as it includes the last forest treasure of the capital. Many Government officials and Ministers are already in the region. So far no house has been threatened. Mayors from all the neighbour regions have gathered at the Thrakomakedones City Hall to co-ordinate the situation and offer extra assistance.