Greece to conduct Mantineia 2026 civil protection drill

The municipalities of Kalamata and West Mani will conduct the “Mantineia 2026” civil protection exercise on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00. The drill simulates an organized population evacuation due to a large forest fire.

Participating agencies include the Kalamata Fire Service, Hellenic Police, EKAB (National Center for Emergency Care), the Coast Guard, and various civil protection volunteer organizations. The exercise aims to test operational plans, inter-agency coordination, and the readiness of emergency response mechanisms.

The simulation involves the virtual evacuation of several settlements, including Sotirianika, Kouri, Megali Mantineia, Mikri Mantineia, and Alimonaika. To simulate fire, smoke canisters will be used, and sirens or loudspeaker announcements may be heard. Participants, including volunteers and actors, will be transported via bus to a temporary hospitality site at Almýrou Park in Kalamata, where the Red Cross and local welfare services will practice international reception protocols.

Temporary traffic controls and road closures will be implemented at several intersections, including the Manis junction near the Messinian Bay hotel and routes leading to Sotirianika and Megali Mantineia.