A sudden and violent midnight storm swept across the Greek island of Corfu, uprooting trees, knocking out power grids, and sparking localized electrical fires across the popular Ionian tourist destination.
The severe weather front, characterized by abrupt gale-force winds and torrential downpours, first struck the offshore Diapontia Islands before barreling into northern and central Corfu.
Within minutes, the intense squall brought down numerous trees and severely damaged the island's electrical infrastructure, plunging vast residential and commercial areas into complete darkness.
Emergency services, including the Hellenic Fire Corps and Civil Protection units, mobilized immediately to clear blocked roadways and restore critical transportation routes.
Crews from the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) worked continuously through the night to repair severed power lines and safely restore electricity to the affected municipalities.
The severe winds and falling timber also triggered immediate secondary emergencies. Downed trees struck live electrical cables, igniting two separate fires in the northern villages of Peroulades and Almyros in the Acharavi region.
Firefighters responded swiftly to the incidents, bringing both blazes under full control before they could threaten nearby residential zones or spread into the dense surrounding vegetation.
Authorities have reported no casualties, but the rapid and destructive onset of the squall underscores the region's vulnerability to sudden extreme weather shifts.
Emergency crews remain on high alert across the island as municipal workers assess the full extent of the infrastructure damage and clear the remaining debris from rural roads.