The bodies of two missing men, aged 35 and 40, were found burned in the Xylokastro fire on Monday morning, according to the deputy governor of Corinthia, Anastasios Giolis, in a statement to ERT.
He explained that the two men “were not registered volunteers, but locals who did not heed the 112 evacuation warning and went to help.”
Their bodies were discovered by OPKE officers near the village of Elliniko, in the area where they had been moving.
Inferno in Western Corinthia – Uncontrollable fire front that started in Rozena, Xylokastro
The 35-year-old and 40-year-old took their motorcycles on Sunday night and headed to a friend’s sheepfold in the Ano Pitsa area of Corinthia to help. Despite encountering firefighters along the way who urged them to turn back due to the active fire, the men continued, leading to their tragic fate.
Firefighters Battle Scattered Flames
After an all-night battle with the flames in Rozena, Xylokastro, there is no active fire front, but several active hot spots remain, according to the fire department.
The fire began yesterday in a forested area at 10:51 AM and quickly grew due to strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 8 Beaufort. The fire is burning through dense vegetation, and the rugged terrain is making firefighting efforts difficult.
So far, there have been reports of damage in the area of Elliniko, Xylokastro, but a full assessment will only be available after the fire is completely extinguished.
Early this morning, another emergency alert was sent via 112 to residents of Pyrgos, Corinthia, advising them to evacuate towards Zaholi. A total of six settlements have been ordered to evacuate urgently.
Currently, 350 firefighters, 15 forest commando units, and 110 vehicles are working on the scene, supported by 5 aircraft and 4 helicopters from the air. Volunteers, water trucks, and heavy machinery from the Peloponnese region, as well as two machines from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), are also assisting.
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