Two firefighting aircraft and four helicopters began continuous water drops at first light on the fire front in the wider area of Ziria, in Aegialia.
Meanwhile, reinforced ground firefighting crews, who battled the flames all night long, are continuing their efforts, supported by aerial resources, to contain the fire and bring it under control.
According to the Fire Department, 294 firefighters are operating in the area with 77 vehicles and seven foot patrols, as well as the motorized special firefighting unit, while the efforts of these forces are being coordinated by the Chief of the Fire Department, Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.
In addition, volunteer firefighters, water trucks, and local government-owned heavy equipment assist the fire department in its work.
According to the police, traffic has been halted from the Lambiri area toward Ano Ziria.
The number of people injured in the fire in Aegialia has risen to 16
The number of people injured in the fire in Aegialia has reached sixteen.
Fifteen patients with respiratory problems were admitted to the hospital in Aigio.
Seven of them—six civilians and one coast guard officer—remain hospitalized as a precaution, according to the 6th Regional Health Authority. Their condition, however, is not a cause for concern. The rest have been discharged.
A burn victim from the Ziria area was transported to Agios Andreas General Hospital (Patras). According to the 6th Regional Health Authority, the patient underwent successful plastic surgery. He is currently hospitalized and his condition is not life-threatening.
«The healthcare system will remain on high alert for the next few hours,» according to the same source.
«From the very moment the major fire broke out in Aegialia, given the emergency conditions that arose, all healthcare facilities in the wider region were placed on full alert,» according to a statement issued by the 6th Health Region.
More specifically, according to the 6th Regional Health Authority, «at the Aigio Hospital, the University Hospital of Patras, and the Agios Andreas General Hospital, the entire medical and nursing staff was immediately mobilized, while the EKAB network was also placed on standby.».
Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias was in charge of fully coordinating efforts to ensure the health system’s readiness. The regional health authority was in constant coordination with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and the National Ambulance Service (EKAV).
The firefighting forces are coordinated by Fire Service Chief Lieutenant General Stefanos Kolokouris.
— Fire Department (@pyrosvestiki) August 1, 2021
