​Yesterday, the Zakynthos Port Authority detained the parents—Greek tourists—of a 14-year-old girl on charges of endangering a minor after the child nearly drowned in the sea near Kalamaki. The incident occurred when the girl lost consciousness while swimming. Immediate first aid was provided, which proved effective. According to eyewitness Eleana Lekka, the girl fainted while swimming with her mask. Within two minutes, her father noticed her distress, rescued her from the water, and initiated CPR with the assistance of a foreign tourist. Together they successfully revived the child. The lifeguard arrived ten minutes after the event, and the ambulance was delayed by thirty-five minutes, prompting vacationers to contact emergency services. The father's composed response contributed significantly to the child’s survival, and she was subsequently taken to Patras for hospitalization. No arrests were ultimately made, as the situation was determined to be a medical emergency that occurred suddenly. The girl was initially transported by EKAB ambulance to Zakynthos General Hospital, then transferred by ferry to Kyllini and onward to the “KARAMANDANEIO” Pediatric Hospital in Patras. The parents were released by order of the prosecutor to remain with their daughter, who, according to available information, is currently in good health.

​Source in Greek:- ERTNEWS. 

​Many residents of and visitors to Zakynthos are familiar with Sue Deeth and the remarkable work carried out by her registered UK charity, Healing Paws Animal Rescue, as well as its status as a registered non-profit organisation in Greece. Through her unwavering dedication, alongside her family and a committed team of trustees and volunteers, over 2,060 dogs have been rescued and found forever homes across the UK and Europe.

Progress and Ongoing Needs
​A few years ago, the charity was able to purchase land with the vision of building a purpose-designed shelter to provide refuge for even more animals in need. Unfortunately, the number of unwanted and abandoned dogs continues to grow, which means the demand for fundraising and donations remains relentless. These regular contributions and offers of support are vital, supplying food, medicine, and veterinary care for the animals at HPAR.

A Promising Partnership
Sue is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Alan Graves, a passionate supporter who runs his own foundation, the Alan Graves Foundation (AGF). This non-profit organisation assists children and animal charities worldwide. The foundation has pledged a generous donation towards the shelter’s construction. Pending final building permissions, it is hoped that work on the shelter can commence soon. While this donation provides an excellent start, ongoing fundraising will be critical both to complete the building and to continue caring for the animals until they find new homes.

Rebranding and Continuity
To mark this new partnership, the charity will undergo a slight rebranding: Healing Paws Animal Rescue will now be known as Alan Graves Foundation Animal Rescue (Greece). Despite the change in name, the charity’s rescue work in Zakynthos continues as usual. The Healing Paws team remains active and united, looking forward to this exciting new chapter.

Gratitude and Future Aspirations
The entire team extends heartfelt thanks to Alan Graves and to all the adopters, fosterers, friends, and supporters who have enabled HPAR’s work thus far. The charity is closer than ever to achieving its long-held dream of a purpose-built shelter—a facility that will greatly enhance its ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome even more unwanted and abandoned animals in Zakynthos.

Stay Connected
Regular updates on the charity’s progress can be found on HPAR’s social media channels and website which we have included below.
Website: healingpawsanimalrescue.com/
​Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/2952932278282275

From 23 to 26 August 2025, Zakynthos commemorates the Transfer of Saint Dionysios’ sacred Relic from the islands of Strofades.

• On Saturday, 23 August at exactly 11.00a.m the second senio (announcement) will begin with 12 cannon shots, church bells ringing across the Island. Residents will also join in by sounding off their guns and ferry boats their horns.  
  
• at 7 pm, The Metropolitan Archbishop Dionysios descends from the Monastery to the Church, followed by a Doxology, procession of the relic, and Resurrection Vespers.

​

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 8:30 in the morning, an Episcopal Liturgy will be held. 
At 11:00 a.m the third senio, will also commence across Zakynthos whilst the procession of the sacred Relic of Saint Dionysios takes place inside the Holy Church and is returned to the Holy Reliquary .

Zakynthos Informer would like to remind you that during the senio, the tradition of celebrating the announcement will include cannon shots from Zakynthos Town, church bells will chime across the island, ferry boats will sound their horns whilst across the island residents will join in with the sounding of their shot guns. We would also like to remind you that if you have anyone or animal that is noise sensitive to take necessary precautions.

​Visit the Agios Dionysios trade fair next to Zakynthos port, open daily for shopping and entertainment. The annual market runs 24 hours a day from Friday, August 22 to Tuesday, August 26. Enjoy entertainment at Luna Park and sample local and Greek delicacies. 

A member of Zakynthos Informer has already raised over £3500, for immediate distribution to the residents of Agalas, who desperately need financial help, after losing their property and belongings, during the horrendous Zakynthos wildfires that affected the island on the 12th to 15th August 2025.

It’s going to be a long road to getting help for people, and help will not be immediate for everyone. So, in conjunction with the Volunteer Group of Zakynthos, we’ve created an ongoing GoFund me account, to continue to raise funds for anyone else who might need financial assistance in the coming months.

This list is just an example and not extensive and any further monies raised will be handed directly to local residents, to cover things like:

• Rebuilding of property
• Building Materials
• Home Furnishings

• White Goods

Thank you for donating whatever you can, large or small, as this will go a long way to help.

Please do also share the link with family, friends and on social media

Thank you for contacting Zakynthos Informer about the recent Zakynthos wildfire. This press release contains all relevant information on the current situation.
 
What happened?
The Kοiliomenos wildfire began in the west of Zakynthos, in the mountains. The fire ignited on the morning of the 12th of August 2025.  As of the 14th of August 2025, Zakynthos has no active fire fronts, however, firefighters from Zakynthos and the mainland, volunteers, private individuals, local authorities, the Civil Protection unit of Zakynthos and the Ionian region units are on full alert in the affected areas, to prevent reignition.
 
The Zakynthos Fire Department tackled the fire using 35 firefighters and 13 fire engines, on the ground, supported by several local water tankers provided assistance. The ground crews were also supported from above by 5 firefighting planes and 3 helicopters that dropped sea water from above.
 
Support was also sent over from the mainland including multiple firefighters, search and rescue teams and fire engines. Volunteers from the Zakynthian Hellenic Red Cross unit also assisted the teams to check homes, businesses and provide medical assistance.
 
Other Zakynthos volunteer groups also helped where needed including collecting and providing water, food, eye wash and gauzes for the fire fighters and any other teams who needed it.
 
The fire was in the west mountains, in a local village / resident area and not any tourist resorts. The areas affected were Koiliomenos, Agalas, and the outskirts of the mountainous areas of Keri, Mouzaki, Lagopodo, Romiri, Pantokratoras, and Lithakia. The village of Lithakia was saved by firefighters using the backburning method.
 
Approximately 6 thousand acres of mountain and village land was burned by the fires, reducing it to blackened ground and ash cinders. Virgin forest areas, crops, 20 buildings including farmhouses, warehouses, businesses and residents’ homes were all lost. There was no loss of life, but lots of wildlife, farm and domestic animals sadly perished.
 
On the 19th of August a Government team is expected to arrive on Zakynthos to review the damage left by the fire. This will be to assess and provide assistance to anyone displaced or affected, and to help local communities to rebuild.
 
The area affected by the fire is now under emergency measures, but this is normal when this kind of incident occurs, and it allows the island to get any necessary support.
 
Is the island safe for tourists and visitors?
Yes, Zakynthos is safe for tourists and visitors. The fire wasn’t in the area of any of the main resorts of Tsilivi, Planos, Alykes, Alykanas, Kalamaki, Laganas, Argassi, Vasilikos, north of the island, or Zakynthos Town.
 
During the fire, incoming and outgoing tourist flights still operated and were not affected.
 
Residents, tourists and businesses on Zakynthos received 112 alert texts, to keep them updated. Roads to the affected areas were closed to prioritise the fire department’s ability to fight and contain the fire and ensure safety of residents and visitors.
 
The 112 alert was used for precautionary procedures under EU law and residents were only evacuated from affected areas if absolutely necessary. Those evacuated were immediately taken to emergency facilities. Local volunteers offered food, water and medical assistance. One hotel of fifty tourists in Agalas was evacuated and another 150 tourists were evacuated from their accommodation in Keri.
 
Who is Zakynthos Informer?
We are a volunteer team that mainly live and work on Zakynthos. We have been providing news and information about the island, to visitors, tourists and locals, for over 13 years.
 
Our team have a great combined knowledge of the island, including culture, tradition and day to day events that may affect residents, businesses and island visitors. Bobby Gee is presenter of the English speaking Island Radio 88.6 radio station, Louise Inzk is a teacher and has local connections with the Greek authorities and the British Consulate, Liz Osborn has worked extensively across the English and Greek tourism community, June Chapman-Woodward and Lesley Paterson both have great links to the local and UK resident community and Chrissie Parker has worked as a travel writer and author.
 
Regular updates are on our website: https://www.zakynthosinformer.com
 
Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/zakynthosinformergroup
 
Contact: Louise Inzk or Chrissie Parker, at [email protected]
 
End.

Tonight, 13th august 2025, our brilliantly knowledgeable Louise Inzk spoke to Sky News anchor Anna Botting, to explain all about the difficult time that Zakynthos has faced in the last couple of days, with the wildfire in the mountains. 

Thanks to everyone who has supported Zakynthos Informer and to Sky News for the interview.

According to Andreas Papadimitriou a local Zakynthian Reporter for ERT News T.V, the Keri side was saved thanks to aerial support and wind conditions favouring the area.  The fire in the village of Pantokratoras mountain area seemed to have subsided due to headwinds. However, firefighting forces are now battling two large fronts that are spreading rapidly, making the situation extremely dangerous. Andreas Papadimitriou reported that fires continue to threaten the mountain area of island, with the situation especially critical in Kiliomenos after a major resurgence and the fire is heading towards the village of Exochora. Flames are burning dense pine forest between Agala and Kiliomenos.
Authorities have sent an emergency alert advising residents of the villages Mouzaki, Lagopodo, Romiri, and Pantokratora to move toward Zakynthos Town as the fire approaches. Limited aerial support unfortunately, has hindered firefighting efforts.
Citizens are asked not to head towards the villages named above and to adhere to the instructions of the Civil Protection Units.
The fire continues to threaten Pantokratoras and Mouzaki, with thick smoke suffocating Pantokratoras due to reports of a sudden resurgence. Traffic Police have now blocked roads and are helping evacuate vulnerable residents. People are urged to avoid the area and follow Civil Protection instructions, please let our authorities do their jobs by keeping away!
​

The New Cultural Association of Gaitani is making an urgent appeal for support to collect essential items, in order to support the residents and firefighters fighting the flames.

Those who wish to contribute can deliver water, gauze and eye drops to the village community office, today from 19:00 to 20:00.

Everyone's help is invaluable in these critical times.
source in Greek:- ZanteTimes.gr

It's Wednesday 13th August and residents have just received another notification about the ongoing situation with the Kiliomenos wildfire.

The information we have, is that the fire has re-ignited itself, and is once more spreading and potentially going over the top of the mountains. 

A notification has been sent out to everyone as follows:
Wildfire in your area.
If you are in Mouzaki, Lagopodo, Romiri and Pantokratoras of Zakinthos move away to the City of Zakinthos.
Follow the instructions of the Authorities.

The fire department are working incredibly hard to battle the wildfire and it's hopeful that weather is in the islands favour.

Please stay safe, avoid heading to the mountains, or getting in the way of the suthorities at this time. Listen out for updates and follow any instructions given to you by the Fire Department and other island authorities.