Egnatia Highway closed: Vehicles travelling to Thessaloniki and Europe advised to take the Bulgarian route
While the fire in Alexandroupoli continued on its 5th day, the fire grew stronger in the western part of the country.
The Egnatia road was closed this morning due to the fire that broke out in Alexandroupoli and spread to Evros and Rhodope in Western Thrace.
Vehicles wishing to continue to Thessaloniki and Europe were advised to continue via Bulgaria.
Many Turks living in European countries such as France, Germany and Italy and returning from their summer holidays in Türkiye were among those adversely affected.
Air pollution caused by fires threatens health
Nikos Mihalopoulos, Director of the National Observatory and Environment Institute, told Greek State Television that the amount of particulate matter suspended in the air due to the fires exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit of 20 micrograms and reached 100 micrograms.
Stating that particulate matter from the fire in Evros has reached the islands in the Ionian Sea, Mihalopoulos pointed out that the conditions in the west of Athens and Piraeus are quite severe.
Mihalopoulos stated that these rates are extremely dangerous for health and advised especially the elderly and those with respiratory problems not to go outdoors.
Strong winds reaching up to 70 kilometres per hour across the country also make it difficult to extinguish the fires.
20 people had lost their lives due to the fire
On 21 August, 2 people died in the fires, one in Viotia and one in Kavacik (Lefkimi) in Evros Region.
Yesterday, the bodies of 18 people, including 2 children, were found in the Dadia forest area in Evros Region, presumably belonging to irregular migrants trying to cross Evros to Greece.
Thus, the number of people who lost their lives due to fire in Greece in two days became 20.