Tourists evacuated amid Greek forest fire

Hundreds of tourists have been safely evacuated from a hotel on the island of Evia after a large forest fire broke out nearby, Greek authorities said today.

The coastguard said some 500-600 residents of the Club Med hotel near Aidipsos, in northern Evia, have been taken to a nearby beach as a precaution, and several ferry boats are removing them to a safer location.

A coastguard spokesman said the operation was ordered today after the blaze in a nearby pine forest cut off road access to the hotel.

He said no injuries have been reported.

More than 70 firefighters, assisted by 23 fire trucks and seven water-dropping aircraft are trying to put out the fire, which is fanned by very strong winds.