July 23, 2023, 9:57 AM
July 23, 2023, 9:57 AM
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and hotels in Rhodes, Greece, after wildfires ripped through large areas of the island.
Greece’s fire service told the BBC it has apologized for what it called a “disaster” on the island, warning that the situation could get worse due to weather conditions.
More than 3,500 people were transferred to safe places by land and by sea. Another 1,200 will be evacuated from three towns (Pefki, Lindos and Kalathos).
Until now No injuries have been reportedaccording to the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
According to the ministry, tourists are being evacuated from the affected areas in Rhodes – which account for less than 10% of the island’s tourist accommodation – and are being transferred to other hotels.
Lieutenant Colonel Yannis Artopoios, a spokesman for the Hellenic Fire Brigade, described the fires as the most difficult that the service has had to face.
The island has been battling wildfires fanned by strong winds since the Tuesdayin the middle of a heat wave that hits southern Europe.
Five helicopters and 173 firefighters have been working in the affected areas. Private boats have also joined the Greek coast guard to help pick up people in the east of the island.
Ships from the Greek navy are also heading to the area, which is very popular for tourism.
Serious situation”
As explained by the deputy mayor of Rhodes, Konstantinos Taraslias, a change in the winds on Saturday morning contributed to the fires being fanned and reaching tourist areas.
Since it started in a mountainous region on Tuesday, the fire has destroyed large areas of forest.
Firefighters from Slovakia arrived on the island on Saturday to help local teams.
“The situation in Rhodes is severe and extremely difficult. Due to the strong winds and the strange change of direction of the fire, the firefighters had to retire and change places,” the Slovak Fire and Rescue Service posted on its Facebook page.
It is believed that temperatures on the island can reach 45ºC.
Meanwhile, firefighters continue to fight a dozen forest fires in other regions of the country.
The most affected area is to the west of Athensalong with Laconia in the south of Peloponnesus and the island of Rhodes.
And the authorities warn that there is a very high risk of new fires, while temperatures continue to rise.
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