Marooned Zakynthos tourists saved by Greek coastguard
Posted on July 29th 2009
Although Britain may be suffering with a bit of a wet spell this summer, other areas on the continent are suffering from such intense heat that wildfires are starting up from the parched plants and hard-baked earth. The humidity, draught and high temperatures often allow the right conditions for forest fires to form.
The Greek island of Zakynthos in the Ionian sea has suffered some of the worse fires in the islands history on Sunday, 26 July, marooning 70 holidaymakers along one of its sandy beaches.
The Greek merchant marine ministry reported that three coast guard boats rescued 20 people initially, women and children first whilst others attempted to regain their cars with the assistance of the fire service.
Over nine fire trucks battled on with one of Greece’s many forest fires, for nearly 3 hours. Luckily no one in the blaze was harmed and despite heavy and thick smoke none of the stranded tourists has reported any breathing troubles.
It is a credit to both the coast guard and the fire service that no-one was hurt, and in the 320 forest fires that Greece has experience this week alone none of its population or any property have been seriously damaged.
Insure My Boat offers competitively priced boat insurance cover for vessel owners against major perils such as fire and will include additional optional extras specialise policies to your exact requirements.
Other news stories
- Young diver in speedboat scare
- All-woman crew smash sailing record
- Military opposes marina construction
- Deja vu boat
- Boat break-in leaves owner distraught
- Falmouth hosts boat show this weekend
- MasterCraft unveil the new 300
- Man drowns after falling through gap
- Record attempt on hold for disabled sailor
- Fire at boat yard causes a sea of destruction
