134 Swedish Tourists Evacuated from Lesbos Amid Greek Wildfires

On July 29, 2026, 134 Swedish tourists were evacuated from the Plomari area on the Greek island of Lesbos due to an escalating wildfire threat. The evacuation was prompted by local authorities around 6 PM Swedish time, as fires raged across multiple Greek islands, including Crete and Lesbos. The Swedish travelers were moved safely to a nearby beach initially, while awaiting the possibility of returning to their hotels or relocation to alternative accommodations if conditions worsened.

Apollo, the travel agency managing the evacuation, maintained a strong presence on-site and kept travelers informed through SMS updates. Martina Krantz, a press officer for Apollo, confirmed that the evacuation went calmly and that buses had been prepared for any further needed evacuations. She reassured that the wildfire was moving away from the hotels where their guests were staying, offering some relief amid concerns. In addition to the Swedish tourists, other nationalities were affected; reports indicate that 90 Norwegian and 74 Danish travelers were also evacuated from the area.

The wildfires in Greece have caused significant challenges for emergency services. In Crete, for example, two firefighters tragically lost their lives combating the blazes. Local authorities consider the fire on Lesbos under control but not yet extinguished, emphasizing caution. The evacuation measures demonstrate coordinated efforts among local authorities and travel companies to ensure traveler safety during a crisis.

Beyond Lesbos, wildfires continue to threaten other Greek regions, with authorities actively monitoring and responding to multiple fires. Despite the circumstances, the evacuation of Swedish tourists from Lesbos was orderly, with contingency plans in place to secure accommodations and transport if necessary. Ving, another travel agency, reported eight guests remain on Lesbos without the need for evacuation at this time.

This event highlights ongoing wildfire risks in popular tourist destinations in Greece during the summer of 2026 and the readiness of Swedish travel agencies to respond swiftly to protect their clients.