State of Emergency in Zakynthos - Greece

On 15 January, the Secretary-General of Civil Protection Vasilis Papageorgio declared a state of emergency on the island of Zakynthos, due to hazardous contamination in the water supply network. The water system became contaminated when oil spilled onto a road during tank filling. The oil entered the rainwater system and, due to a ruptured pipe, contaminated the water supply. Residents must source water from municipal and private water trucks. Appropriate cleaning and chlorination procedures are underway. The emergency will be in place for a month, until 12 February.

Advice

Conserve water wherever possible. Use it sparingly for essential needs and adhere to local guidelines. Given the extreme fire danger, avoid activities that involve open flames or sparks. Stay informed about the situation by following updates from local authorities and official news sources. Consider postponing non-essential travel to the affected area until the emergency situation is resolved.