by admin | Aug 15, 2025 | disasters, greece, incident, natural disasters, tragedies
Three individuals, among them two visitors from Vietnam, lost their lives in Greece on Friday when strong winds fueled wildfires and caused disruptions to ferry services affecting tens of thousands of vacationers during the summer season.
Over 200 firefighters, supported by 11 aerial water tankers and seven helicopters, were fighting a fire near Keratea, south of Athens, according to Costas Tsigkas, president of the association of Greek firefighting officials.
ERT
state television.
“He mentioned it was a challenging blaze,” he stated, referring to strong winds and noting that multiple areas had been vacated.
Firefighters found the remains of an older individual within their scorched house in Keratea, with strong winds affecting the operation of aerial firefighting units, according to Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire department, during a media update.
An
AFP
A journalist from the neighboring town of Palaia Fokaia, approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Athens, witnessed flames engulfing a home and dense smoke filling the atmosphere.
Emergency responders were running quickly to position hoses and extinguish the fire, as a helicopter flew above to release water.
Previously, another fire on the island of Cephalonia had been contained, according to local authorities, whereas Vathrakogiannis stated that conditions “have improved” on the Peloponnese peninsula located west of Athens.
The Ministry of Civil Protection stated that wind speeds could peak at 88 kilometers per hour, particularly in the southern Aegean region and the Sea of Crete.
The National Weather Service EMY stated that the wind speeds would decrease after midnight, yet the Civil Protection Ministry issued the highest wildfire alerts for multiple regions on Saturday, such as the Attica area, which encompasses Athens.
Earlier, the coast guard reported that a Vietnamese man and woman from a cruise ship tour group had passed away at Sarakiniko Beach on the tourist island of Milos in the Cyclades.
“A man and a woman were discovered lying unconsciously in the water and were transported to the nearby medical facility,” stated a spokesperson from the coast guard.
A woman slipped into the water, and the man seemingly attempted to rescue her.
‘Left stranded’
Strong winds forced numerous ferries to remain in port, disrupting the primary means of transportation that links thousands of islands and supports their vital tourism industry.
The coastguard stated that the majority of ferry services could not leave on time from Piraeus and other Athenian harbors, particularly heading towards the Cyclades or Dodecanese islands. Some trips were cancelled while others were delayed.
In Piraeus, many passengers gathered outside a boat heading towards the Cyclades’ islands of Paros and Naxos, hoping for updates about an upcoming sail.
Close by, travelers who were stuck gathered around backpacks and luggage, forming a long line outside a ticket counter, making urgent phone calls in an attempt to change their plans and salvage their trips.
“there are long queues, lots of chaos, everyone is waiting under the sun and it’s a really difficult situation,” said Philip Elias, an American visitor.
Maritime links with the Saronic islands close to Athens, such as Aegina, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses, along with the Ionian Sea remained undisturbed, according to the coastguard.
Greece typically experiences strong winds during this season, with fire crews having dealt with multiple significant fires this summer, such as those on the islands of Evia and Chios, along with incidents in the western part of the Peloponnese.
by admin | Apr 8, 2025 | disaster management, disaster preparedness, disasters, natural disasters, news
Thailand’s natural disaster early warning and alert system encounters significant hurdles following experts attributing a delayed reaction to the earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, which caused powerful shaking throughout Thailand, to inadequate coordination.
Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change and Disaster Centre at Rangsit University, says he was appointed by the Interior Minister as an expert adviser at the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) after the earthquake.
During an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr. Seree mentioned that he had also been involved with the center back in 2005 when it was first established.
Bureaucratic loopholes
After coming back, I’ve already identified numerous gaps, especially within our operations involving collaborating organizations.
“Collectively, we function akin to a series circuit [where all elements are linked sequentially to create a solitary pathway for electrical current]… Data is transferred from one organization to the next as time progresses,” he stated.
He proposed that it might be more efficient if the agencies could function akin to contemporary computer circuits, operating concurrently without needing to await one another.
Specifically, the NDWC ought not to await information from other agencies. If flooding occurs, it shouldn’t rely on data from the Meteorological Department; similarly, during other natural events causing disorder, it shouldn’t depend on the DDPM.
Mr. Seree mentioned that the NDWS needs to seek out information independently and cross-reference it with other agencies prior to releasing warnings.
He stated that during the earthquake on March 28, the text messages alerting people about the quake were significantly delayed in being dispatched.
Passakorn Boonyalak, who serves as the director-general of the DDPM, mentioned earlier that the department had submitted the initial set of alerts to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for distribution at 2:42 pm. This was shortly after an earthquake occurred at 1:20 pm on March 28.
The notification assured recipients that they were free to go back into structures to retrieve their possessions.
Trairat Wiriyasirikul, who serves as the interim secretary-general of the NBTC, mentioned that the notification was sent out at 2:44 pm to approximately 10 million mobile phone numbers. The distribution occurred gradually, with each batch containing 200,000 contacts, covering areas within Bangkok and its adjacent three provinces.
He further stated that the identical message was subsequently resent to recipients across all 76 provinces.
However, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated during a gathering on March 29 that it was excessively time-consuming to disseminate the information. She instructed both the DDPM and NBTC to devise a method for surpassing the 200,000-per-send restriction as efforts commence to enhance the system.
She encouraged them to increase this capability to one million recipients per broadcast as they awaited the complete rollout of the NBTC’s cell broadcast technology.
Mr. Seree stated that the NDWC now has the legal duty to be the first entity to release official natural disaster alerts.
In case of another seismic event, the Meteorological Department will inform the NDWC, which will then utilize this data to release warnings and communicate the necessary steps individuals should follow along with safe locations to head towards.
He stated that during this timeframe, the Meteorological Department requires additional time to analyze more detailed aspects of the earthquake’s intensity and determine which areas might be impacted before they can forward this supplementary data to the NDWC.
Cell broadcast service system
“When the cell broadcast service [CBS] system is rolled out, it will enable the NDWC to issue warnings directly to individuals in impacted regions through cellular networks,” he explained, noting that full implementation of the CBS system is anticipated by August 1st.
The CBS system enables the distribution of urgent weather and natural disaster alerts through mobile phone notifications.
He mentioned that initially, the media might get details regarding the location and intensity of an earthquake from the Meteorological Department.
Nevertheless, it requires some time to compute and analyze the impact levels, after which the NDWC will release warnings through the CBS system and keep providing periodic updates until the situation improves, he stated.
He likewise highlighted the importance of enhancing the current disaster alert mechanism to guarantee a more rapid reaction during an emergency.
The NBTC plans to work together with television networks and radio stations to issue warnings through the TV Pool system, he stated, noting that no such alert was disseminated on March 28.
Free inspections
The president of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, Amorn Pimanmas, stated that owners and inhabitants of tall buildings in Bangkok ought to request an inspection from structural engineers following the earthquake to alleviate their worries about safety.
As things stand, Bangkok boasts over 1,000 structures exceeding 23 meters or eight stories tall. Following the March 28 earthquake, numerous individuals have grown worried regarding the structural integrity of these buildings, he mentioned.
People can get assistance through Traffy Fondue, a complaint mechanism managed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Additionally, engineers who offer their services for free will inspect structures after an earthquake and provide guidance on making buildings more resistant to earthquakes at no cost.
Approximately 1,000 engineers are prepared to provide assistance at no cost; however, they do not have the authority to issue certifications for safety inspections.
“If property owners require certifications, they might need to engage private firms to examine their structures,” Mr Amorn stated.
He mentioned that a team of Thai investigators has created instruments for gauging structural movements. Currently, one such device is set up at the Thani Nopparat Building within City Hall’s Din Daeng district, while another is positioned at a facility in the Northern region.
Mr. Amorn stated that it is still not possible to accurately forecast precisely where and when an earthquake might strike beforehand. Additionally, issuing prompt alerts for shallow quakes similar to the one that hit Myanmar on March 28, which had a depth of merely 10 kilometers, continues to be challenging.
Scientists indicate that smaller earthquakes transmit rapidly and generally cause greater damage compared to those occurring at deeper depths. Waves generated by deep-seated seismic activities move slower through layers of rock, diminishing in intensity as they ascend towards the earth’s surface.
“Bangkok is approximately 1,000 kilometers distant from the epicenter located in Myanmar. However, vibrations were experienced in Thailand. Issuing prompt alerts was challenging because we required time to analyze the data,” Mr Amorn stated.
Itthaboon Onwongsa, the deputy secretary-general of the Thailand Consumers’ Council (TCC), stated that the organization has been advocating for the adoption of the CBS system ever since the tragic event at Siam Paragon in October 2023. This incident involved a troubled 14-year-old student who took the lives of three individuals and wounded multiple others.
He stated that delaying the installation of the system any longer would be unwise, and emphasized that it should also be tailored to meet the requirements of visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals.
He stated that during natural disasters, the government must not abandon individuals to fend for themselves. Instead, it has an obligation to offer citizens essential information and prompt guidance.
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by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | disasters, earthquakes, emergency management, natural disasters, news
A strong 7.7-magnitude quake hit central Myanmar on Friday, leading to considerable disturbances in local transport. This disruption impacted air travel as well as railway services not only within Myanmar but also extending into Thailand.
The number of fatalities resulting from the large earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 1,000, as reported by the governing military regime on Saturday. Additionally, over 2,000 people have been recorded as injured.
AFP.
Here are five points travelers should keep in mind:
Thailand airports are operational
Thailand’s major airports are operating normally, with most arriving and departing flights facing only slight disruptions, as reported.
The Independent.
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In Bangkok, women were seen using their phones as thousands of individuals emerged from structures following the quakes. The image was captured by Reuters.
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On Friday, Airports of Thailand, which manages the nation’s airports, stated that they have finished inspecting six of these facilities.
This ensured that the constructional robustness of their structures and air transport facilities complies with safety regulations.
By 2:30 p.m., all airports had resumed normal operations.
The inspection covered Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, as well as Hat Yai Airport.
According to FlightRadar’s flight monitoring information, most arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves as Bangkok’s main gateway, occur on time. Delays are infrequent, and cancellations or diversions happen quite rarely too.
Concerning departures, the majority of flights have already taken off; however, a few have experienced delays lasting more than a couple of hours.
Suvarnabhumai Airport informed travelers about the recent earthquake and recommended checking for traffic updates prior to departure. They also suggested allowing extra travel time to avoid missing their flights.
The airport recommends getting there at least three hours ahead of international flights and two hours in advance for domestic ones.
Railway connections in Bangkok have been halted.
All metropolitan railway services were halted, and traffic jammed the streets in Thailand’s main city of Bangkok, as reported.
Reuters
.
Worapa Angkhisirisap, who leads the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in London, stated: “The MRT Blue Line and Purple Line services are currently halted.”
The BTS Skytrain has also been halted temporarily as per the emergency procedures.
Moreover, the railway service heading towards Rangsit located in the north of Bangkok might face some delays because of continuous inspections being carried out on the raised sections of track.
Mandalay Airport in Myanmar has been closed down.
Mandalay International Airport, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, has been closed after suffering structural damage.
It is reported that the airport’s air traffic control tower has fallen down, resulting in at least five fatalities.
Videos from social media showed travelers at Mandalay Airport crouching and looking for cover on the runway as an earthquake struck.
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Following a powerful earthquake, people congregate on the street in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025. The image was captured by Reuters.
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Aftershock warnings
Following the earthquake, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.
“There may be aftershocks. If you are in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” its advice states.
Regarding Myanmar, the FCDO mentioned that the earthquake’s epicenter is located in the Sagaing region close to Mandalay City; however, effects could reach other areas as well.
The Mandalay airport is said to be closed, with several significant aftershocks possible. Should you be in the region or considering travel there, adhere to guidance from local authorities and stay updated through local news sources.
Refunds not guaranteed
As the Foreign Office hasn’t issued guidance against unnecessary travel because of the demonstrations, there aren’t specific arrangements allowing you to get a complete refund if you decide to cancel your trip.
The cancellation terms will depend on the policy of each respective holiday supplier.
Simon Calder,
The Independent’s
The travel correspondent clarified: “When the Foreign Office issues a warning against traveling to certain areas, it mandates tour operators such as Tui, Jet2, and easyJet Holidays to promptly repatriate vacationers. This is why an outright ‘do-not-travel’ recommendation is extremely uncommon.”
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings even if customers cancel, and customers will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.
by admin | Mar 31, 2025 | marine animals, natural disasters, nature, tourists, wildlife
An unusual natural phenomenon has resulted in a beach in Majorca being blanketed with a gooey blue substance.
Both locals and tourists didn’t find their usual golden sandy shores when they woke up today, transforming what typically draws many visitors to the Balearic islands into something quite different.
Rather than what they expected, they encountered coastlines in Port de Sóller covered with countless slippery blue entities.
A clip capturing this bizarre event reveals increasing amounts of odd formations being hurled onto the beach by the ocean currents.
Even though this observation appears as if it’s out of this world, there is actually a completely terrestrial explanation for what we’re seeing.
The unusual-looking creatures are actually By-the-wind-sailors, which frequently get swept onto land due to powerful winds.
FaceBook
Jake Bullitt noticed a By-the-wind-sailor jellyfish on the shore and posted about it online.
He mentioned that countless tiny Velellas, also known as By-the-Wind-Sailors, had been washed up at the western edge of the bay, with even more continuing to wash ashore.
Even though they share an uncanny resemblance to the Portuguese man o’ war — known for its painful stings — By-the-wind-sailors pose little threat to humans, as their sting typically causes only minor skin irritation.
The problem these beaches in Majorca currently encounter is dealing with the deceased marine life. If left unremoved, these organisms can begin to decompose, producing an unpleasant smell and drawing flies.
By-the-Wind-Sailors are commonly found in warmer waters during the spring and winter seasons.
Their names originate from their unusual form, which looks like a ship’s sail.
True to their namesake, jellyfish traverse the globe in groups with their ‘sail’ assisting them during these journeys.
Throughout their voyage, the By-the-wind-sailors employ their tentacles and stingers to hunt smaller creatures and juvenile fish.
Read more
by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | disaster management, environmental disasters, natural disasters, news, rainfall
Officials caution that increased slope drainage capabilities will be necessary due to anticipated more severe weather conditions in the coming years.
As much as 60 percent of the landslides occurring annually on Hong Kong’s private slopes can be attributed to inadequate upkeep, according to findings from local authorities. They are now pressing for slope owners to address these issues due to the effects of climate change.
Government specialists stated that slopes would become susceptible to more severe weather conditions.
“Given the expectation of more severe weather conditions ahead, we may see increased precipitation during wet seasons, necessitating enhanced drainage capabilities for hillsides,” explained Lawrence Shum Ka-wah, who serves as the assistant director of the Geotechnical Engineering Office located on Hong Kong Island.
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He mentioned that drainage systems can handle obstructions caused by leaves or branches, yet extremely severe weather conditions have the potential to surpass their capacity.
On average, about 10 to 20 landslides took place annually on privately owned slopes throughout the last ten years, according to Shum, referencing a departmental assessment.
Typically, around 30 to 60 percent of these issues stemmed from inadequate maintenance by property owners.
He stated that the areas affected by landslides were determined by the pattern of rainfall, noting that no particular district needed extra focus. However, he emphasized that upkeep would be the primary issue to address.
Shum stated that authorities reported over 50 landslides on private slopes in 2023, during what was termed a “once-in-500-years storm.” Of these incidents, 30 percent resulted from inadequate maintenance.
The severe weather condition activated the city’s most extended black rainstorm alert, lasting over 16 hours. This transformed roads into waterways and left motorists trapped in their cars, while also inundating malls and train terminals. Over 100 individuals required medical attention at hospitals.
Shum additionally pointed out to the owners that they could bear responsibility for maintaining adjacent land parcels, even though these might not be detailed in their land lease agreements.
Currently, about 2,500 man-made slopes located on government land are maintained by private owners of adjoining lots.
Each year, the department chooses 100 individual ski slopes for safety inspections conducted by them.
When individuals are classified as hazardous, the authorities issue a Dangerous Slope Order (DSO) to the property owners. This order mandates them to conduct investigations and undertake required preventative measures using certified specialists.
By 2023, as stated by Robert Cheng, the chief building surveyor at the Buildings Department, 271 DHOs still remained unfulfilled by private property owners.
He urged the owners to keep their slopes maintained in order to avoid the risk of landslides.
Cheng also mentioned that routine inspections of the slopes as well as underground water pipelines were essential.
The administration likewise provides assistance to proprietors encountering monetary challenges, including grants and financing options.
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The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China andAsia.
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