Terrifying footage of people being evacuated by ferry from the burning Lake Evia in Greece has gone viral with many people comparing it to a scene from a blockbuster disaster movie.
Parts of Greece and Turkey have been ravaged by wildfires this week. More than 150 fires have been reported in Greece alone with many breaking out on the northern outskirts of Athens. More fires have been predicted as the country battles against strong winds and scorching temperatures reaching 45 degrees celsius. One firefighter has died and 20 people have required medical treatment.
Authorities have now taken evacuating areas where fires have destroyed homes, businesses and farms. One particular area is Evia, an island popular with tourists with at least 1,153 being ferried away from the shores as fires have cut off all other routes of escape.
Footage from onboard one of the ferries shows hundreds of people huddled together as the backdrop of the scene is filled with fire and smoke.
Απίστευτες εικόνες από πλοίο στη Λίμνη Ευβοίας που απομάκρυνε κόσμο από τις ακτές όπου έφτασε η μεγάλη πυρκαγιά την Παρασκευή 6 Αυγούστου 2021.
— meteo.gr - Ο καιρός (@meteogr) August 6, 2021
Βίντεο Stavros Dev pic.twitter.com/bSrb7BbfEu
Reaction to the footage has been that of shock and dismay as humanity once again bears witness to the devastating consequences of the climate crisis.
Absolutely terrifying footage from a ferry carrying passengers escaping the shores of Lake Evia in #Greece. pic.twitter.com/5H9jzapXl0
— Dino Sofos (@dinosofos) August 7, 2021
Blimey it’s like the ferry leaving the island on fire in the latest Jurassic World film. Scary. https://t.co/BVz5NqWYoE
— 🤖🏴Johnsons A Johnson🏴🤖 (@NotAMayBot) August 7, 2021
I remember when this used to be Hollywood special effects https://t.co/yp0EDYAxEw
— Michiel Jorissen (@MichielJorissen) August 7, 2021
Mad, like something from a film. You’d think it’s the end wouldn’t you https://t.co/R7WsGPqCbm
— George Lineker (@GeorgeLineker) August 7, 2021
Climate change really is tryna tell us she's here to finish us off https://t.co/nxnHk99uDM
— Jack Duncan🔻 (@JackDunc1) August 7, 2021
Oh my God. Lord have mercy. https://t.co/vujVsKtQRD
— Rod Dreher (@roddreher) August 7, 2021
Turkey 🇹🇷 and Greece 🇬🇷 need to join forces to combat #Climate crisis in the #Mediterranean — instead of spending billions in an arms race. Global warming knows no boundaries. Collective action required NOW to save the #Mediterranean basin. https://t.co/kQl7BD1pyL
— asli aydintasbas (@asliaydintasbas) August 7, 2021
Honestly thought this was an installation art piece commenting on environmental apocalypse. But no. Just a guy filming the world on fire from an evac ferry. https://t.co/SeDA6KvyD0
— Jessica Kiang (@jessicakiang) August 7, 2021
Jesus Christ. This looks like something from a movie https://t.co/UzcY4sTyVX
— Oscar Knights (@OscarKnights) August 7, 2021
Greece’s civil protection chief Nikos Hardalias said in a Friday press briefing: “Over the past few days, we have been facing a situation without precedent in our country, in the intensity and wide distribution of the wildfires, and the new outbreaks all over (Greece). I want to assure you that all forces available are taking part in the fight.”
This comes amid a noticeable rise in climate-related incidents across the globe, with many parts of Europe struggling to deal with unprecedented rainfall leading to widespread flooding.
