No, half the island wasn't burned, but we are all in great pain.

Countering statements by elected officials and officials who speak of the destruction of «half the island», official satellite data shed light on the the actual extent of the disaster from the great fire that hit Kythera.

In particular, according to analysis of high-resolution satellite images from the satellite WorldView-2 and processing of the team of Meteo.gr / National Observatory of Athens, in cooperation with the European Mechanism Copernicus EMS, until 12:20 noon on Sunday 27 July 2025, the burnt area in Kythera is estimated at 26.880 acres.

This area is huge, causes deep trauma to nature, to the local economy, to the soul of the inhabitants - but in no way corresponds to «half the island». The island of Kythera has a total surface area of approximately 279 square kilometres, i.e. approximately 279.000 acres. Therefore, the disaster touches 10% of the total area, and not the 50%.

This percentage does nothing to reduce the pain of people, nor the significance of what was lost. On the contrary, it confirms how much easily, in a matter of hours, valuable natural and cultural capital can be lost, if there is no plan, prevention and response.

Sometimes exaggeration expresses the inner despair, the anxiety, the lack of hope that we feel when we see nature and property going up in flames. But when statements are made by local institutions, it is good to have accuracy in them and a good knowledge of the facts, with reliability and the responsibility that such moments require. When the disaster is real and documented, the exaggeration often blurs the picture and prevents the right reaction, both for the authorities and citizens.

What we need now, more than ever, is truth, organisation, documentation and unity. To heal the wounds and never have to count the same losses again.

Kythera.News