Nea Anchialos: “War zone” after the fire – Explosion, shock wave and evacuation by sea

Scary moments unfolded yesterday in Nea Anchialos, Magnesia after the rekindling of the fire that continues to burn in the area.

In the early afternoon of Thursday (27/7) the flames from the fiery front began to menacingly approach the seaside town, as a result of which the residents were asked to evacuate immediately.

A few minutes later, explosions were heard. The ammunition depot just outside the airfield of the 111th Fighter Wing had gone up in flames.

“Our houses were shaken”

The shock wave followed. Windows in houses and shops in the city shattered.

“Our houses were shaken,” described a resident of Volos to Mega.

“We are terrified, the fire was very close to a residential area, in Melissiatika. We heard an explosion again. They haven’t extinguished the fires in the industrial zone, there haven’t been any fire protection zones and tomorrow at noon the wind will turn to the south, the fire may also spread to Northern Pelion” described Ms. Georgia Kountria.

The evacuation

A 112 evacuation message was sent to the area and residents left their homes by land and sea, with Coast Guard and private boats.

The images are indicative of the panic and despair experienced by residents and visitors. People of all ages left Nea Aghialos in any way they could.

In the arms of most, their beloved pets, mostly dogs. As can be seen in the photos, people put their animals on boats and buses in order to transport them to a safe place.

What happened

In particular, as stated by sources from the Air Force General Staff, “the fire that broke out in the area of Nea Anchialos affected a part of the ammunition depot of the 111st Combat Wing (111AM) in the Karambas area.

The camp is located about 6 kilometers north of the airport of Nea Achialos (headquarters 111 Fighter Wing) and was evacuated at about 17:45 when the fire had gotten dangerously close without being possible to contain it, in order not to endanger the personnel.

After the fire entered the western part of the camp, they add, “explosions of various intensities were heard, while at 19:18 a strong explosion occurred. Due to the explosions, the Greek Police created a security perimeter of 3 kilometers around the camp and a relevant signal was issued by 112 FW at 19:50.

By decision of the General Staff, they emphasize “for precautionary reasons and in accordance with the security protocols in force, all aircraft that were at Nea Achialos airport outside the shelters were relocated to other airports while, also for precautionary reasons, the Officers’ settlement was evacuated is within the boundaries of 111 AM.’

“The situation at the Karamba area ammunition camp is still being monitored due to the high heat load,” they point out, adding that “Air Force and Army pyrotechnicians have been dispatched to the Karamba camp to intervene as soon as security conditions permit.” At the present time, the airbase of 111PM is considered safe. There is no active front, while there is apnea in the area.”

“It is emphasized that no human life was endangered” they note.

“With the start of the fire prevention period, all the prescribed security measures had been implemented as well as the necessary prescribed fire safety zones around the critical facilities within the camp and the airport of Nea Anchialos. From the first moment in the camp, the Fire Safety Team and the Immediate Intervention Detachments were activated to deal with the fire. The camp was evacuated in time since the fire could not be dealt with,” they conclude.

A difficult night

The approximately 2,000 people who evacuated Nea Anchialos spent the night at the Volos Exhibition Center.

Consumables and first aid that might be needed by those being transported there had been gathered at the site since yesterday.

As can be seen in the images broadcast by MEGA from the scene, people who left their homes in droves took with them a pillow, a sheet or some other personal items.