Regional authorities extended preventative emergency measures for another 24 hours over the air quality in areas of Xanthi, northern Greece, following a fire that broke out on May Day at the Sunlight Systems battery plant in Neo Olvio.
The fire broke out midday on Tuesday and was brought under control later the same day.
Deputy regional director Costas Zagnaferis extended the preventative closure of all schools in the area, including municipal kindergartens, through Friday (May 4) because of fire-created pollution and particulate matter. The settlements it included in emergency measures are the following: Neo Olvio, Thalassia, Agios Athanasios, Kremasti, Toxotes, Exochi, Tympano, Kallithea and Evmiros, in the municipalities of Topiros and Xanthi.
Measures will not be lifted before air samples are taken, with results expected the latest by Saturday morning.
The regional authorities had warned residents of the above areas to do the following: hose down the exterior of homes and their yards with plenty of water; insulate the interior of the house from the exterior by keeping doors and windows hermetically shut; stay inside, especially keep children inside; refrain from agricultural and other activities in the open air, such as grazing animals and collecting vegetables.
On Wednesday the Athens Stock Exchange suspended the trade of the company’s shares until the company publicises the extent of the damage, to protect investors, it said.