Fire truck falls into gorge, killing firefighter

A fire truck patrolling the Kotsikia area in northeastern Evia plunged into a gorge on Friday, killing one firefighter and injuring another, according to reports.  

The dead man, aged 45, was removed from the fire truck in an unconscious state and transported to a nearby clinic in the village of Mantoudi, several kilometers to the south of the island, along with the other injured firefighter. 

The two firefighters were in the area to put up fire season warning posters when, for reasons still unknown, their fire truck plunged into the gorge, causing the loss of radio contact.

The fire brigade commander for Evia joined a team of firefighters who rushed to the scene in multiple fire trucks to assist with the rescue effort. 

The island is reeling from devastating fires last summer, prompting increased patrolling across the area.