A fire has reached a Hellenic Air Force ammunition dump in central Greece, causing explosions. The explosions could be heard miles away, state television ERT reported. As the German Press Agency learned from government circles, the ammunition depot was evacuated in good time. “We have a difficult situation,” said a spokesman for the fire brigade on Greek radio.
A security zone was formed around the ammunition depot. The fire brigade plans to use a drone together with the air force to first determine “what’s going on in the camp”. Only then will you decide what needs to be done, the spokesman said.
Ministry of Defense sources said the explosions may have been triggered by a fire in the area. Officially, no information was given as to the cause.
Window panes destroyed by blast waves
As a reporter from state radio reported, numerous window panes in the Nea Anchialos region were smashed due to the pressure waves. Information about injuries was initially not available. The fire brigade could not intervene because of the risk of further explosions. Water cannot be dropped from the air either, because it is dangerous for the pilots.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosions stopped about an hour after the first detonations, reporters at the scene reported.
Holidaymakers flee to the beach
Because of the heavy smoke, vacationers – mostly Greek families – fled to the beach of Nea Anchialos. One of the largest air bases of the Greek Air Force is located in the region. The ammunition dump that the flames reached is about four kilometers north of Nea Anchialos airport, state television reported.
It was initially unclear what kind of ammunition was deposited in this camp. Three squadrons of F-16 fighter jets from the Hellenic Air Force are stationed at the military airport of Nea Anchialos. As the state radio also reported, these fighter bombers are to be relocated to other Greek Air Force bases for security reasons.
