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Evacuation of residents in German village of Gey due to wildfire
Residents of Gey have been evacuated due to an approaching wildfire, which is burning 200 meters from the village.
German authorities have begun the evacuation of residents from the village of Gey in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. On Friday morning, between 1,800 and more than 2,000 people were evacuated from the village due to the proximity of a wildfire.
According to the German news broadcaster WDR, the fire is currently located about 200 meters from Gey. The village is situated approximately 25 kilometers from the Dutch border, where fires have been burning in the area since yesterday.
A total of three wildfires have occurred in the nearby area, two of which have been extinguished. However, the third fire has moved closer towards the village of Gey.
The decision to evacuate was made collectively at three o'clock last night after the fire had approached closer.
The evacuees have been accommodated in an elementary school in a nearby village. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation.