A particularly demanding and complex rescue and evacuation operation took place alongside the firefighting battle during the major wildfire in the Attica-Boeotia region, which broke out on July 31. The rapid spread of the fire front in the Kalamaki – Agios Vasileios area of Boeotia cut the village off by land, making the sea the only escape route for hundreds of residents.
Attica-Boeotia wildfire: A timeline of the Agios Vasileios evacuation and the Fire Service response
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09:04 (31/7): A wildfire breaks out in the forested area of Kalamaki – Agios Vasileios.
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09:37: An emergency alert is issued via the 112 system, urging precautionary evacuation.
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Escape routes cut off: Several residents delayed their departure and remained on the beach. As the fire severed road access, evacuation by land became impossible.
A naval force was immediately mobilized to rescue those trapped. The first vessel to arrive was the Fire Service speedboat RAFNAR 22, followed by the Fire Service ship “MOUZAKITIS.” Five private boats, a Coast Guard vessel, and two tugboats also assisted in the operation. In total, 254 residents were safely evacuated from the Agios Vasileios pier:
- 238 people were transferred to Livadostrata beach.
- 16 people were transferred to the port of Antikyra.
At the same time, firefighters went door-to-door throughout the settlement, helping elderly residents, people with disabilities, families with young children, and even pets to safety. The Regional Governor of Central Greece, Fanis Spanos, was also present at the scene.
The operation at Porto Germeno
A similar operation was launched the same evening at Porto Germeno. As flames entered the settlement, the crew of the RAFNAR 22 speedboat carried out the rescue and safe evacuation of a family of four and an elderly woman from the coastal area.
