Kos island blaze finally contained

The wildfire which threatened forest areas at the island of Kos and the ancient Asklipion area has been contained, the island's Deputy Mayor Stamatis Kabourakis told Athens Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) on Tuesday evening.

The island's firefighting forces operated in collaboration with the municipal authority and with volunteers, it was noted. A helicopter from Rhodes island also helped in battling the blaze.

Firefighting forces will stay alert throughout the night to prevent the rekindling of fire pockets, added Kabourakis.