Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Travel Alert: Greece Issues Natural Disaster Warning for Tourists
British tourists planning holidays to Greece are being advised to prepare for potential natural disasters as the popular Mediterranean destination anticipates further extreme weather conditions this summer. The Foreign Office has issued updated guidance highlighting the risks of earthquakes, floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and storms across the Greek mainland and islands.
Heightened Wildfire Risk and Extreme Heat
Official advisories emphasize a particularly elevated risk of wildfires between April and October. This warning follows previous incidents, including last year’s intense heatwave in Athens, which forced the temporary closure of the Acropolis due to tourists experiencing heat-related fainting spells. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidelines, last updated on April 2nd, explicitly state that “Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.”
Register for Emergency Alerts in Greece
To enhance safety during travel, the FCDO strongly recommends that visitors register for alerts from the Greek Government’s Emergency Communication Service to receive notifications about events near their location. This measure is designed to provide timely warnings and ensure tourist safety amidst potential natural disasters.
How to Enable Emergency Alerts on Your Device
Travelers can activate emergency alerts on their smartphones to receive vital updates and warnings. Here are instructions for different mobile operating systems:
iPhone Emergency Alert Setup:
- Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Notifications”.
- Scroll down and enable “Emergency Alerts”.
Android Emergency Alert Setup (Select Models):
- Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
- Tap on “Notifications”.
- Select “Advanced Settings”.
- Choose “Wireless Emergency Alerts”.
- Enable “Emergency Alerts” (available for models 11 and higher).
Samsung Device Emergency Alert Setup:
- Go to “Settings” on your Samsung device.
- Tap on “Apps”.
- Select “Messages”.
- Go to “Notifications”.
- Choose “Emergency Notifications”.
- Enable “Emergency Alerts”.
Stay Informed and Vigilant
The FCDO further advises tourists to “Register for Emergency alerts and follow ‘112 Greece’ on X for official updates.” The advisory reiterates the “high risk of wildfires from April to October” and stresses the unpredictable and dangerous nature of these events. “Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts and be warned of wildfires near your location,” the FCDO emphasizes. “Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly,” the guidance concludes, urging visitors to remain vigilant and informed during their travels in Greece.