Wildfires Force Evacuation of Thousands on Greek Island of Rhodes
Rhodes, Greece – A devastating wildfire that has been raging on the Greek island of Rhodes for six days has resulted in the evacuation of thousands of tourists and residents. As the flames spread rapidly along the southeastern part of the island, coastal villages and resorts were evacuated, forcing people to seek shelter in schools and indoor stadiums.
On Saturday, coastguard vessels and private boats were deployed to rescue over 2,000 tourists from the beaches. The wildfire was fueled by strong winds, causing it to rekindle and pose a threat to popular tourist destinations known for their beaches and ancient ruins. In the face of immense danger, many people fled their hotels as the flames engulfed seaside villages, including Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefki, Lindos, Lardos, and Kalathos. Streets were filled with panicked crowds waiting to be safely transported to designated evacuation centers.
Vice Mayor of Rhodes, Thanasis Virinis, stated that between 4,000 and 5,000 people are currently accommodated in various structures. Urgent donations of essential items such as mattresses and bedclothes are being sought. According to a government official, approximately 19,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes and hotels. The civil protection ministry has yet to provide an official comment on the situation.
Volunteers and firefighters have been working tirelessly to extinguish the blaze, which has left a trail of destruction on the hillside and charred buildings near Lindos. Lindos is renowned for its ancient acropolis, situated atop a massive rock within medieval walls, and is among the island’s most-visited sites.
The civil protection department has issued warnings of a very high risk of wildfires in almost half of Greece on Sunday, as temperatures are expected to reach an extreme 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). Heatwaves have been gripping Southern Europe and other parts of the world, with forecasts indicating the possibility of the heatwave lasting until August.
Greece has been no stranger to wildfires, but recent years have witnessed an increase due to hotter, drier, and windier summers. Climate change is exacerbating these conditions, making heatwaves more frequent according to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) advisor.
Evacuees, including residents of affected villages, are currently being accommodated in hotels, indoor stadiums, conference centers, and school buildings, according to fire brigade spokesman Ioannis Artopoios. Necessary provisions such as food, water, and medical assistance are being provided. The Greek foreign ministry will also assist foreigners who wish to leave the country by coordinating flights from Rhodes Airport.
On Sunday, firefighters, supported by water-dropping aircraft, battled the flames on three fronts. They worked diligently to establish firebreaks in order to prevent the fire from spreading into the dense forest or posing a threat to additional residential areas.
Since its outbreak on Tuesday in a mountainous area, the fire has left extensive damage to forests and several structures in its wake. The situation remains challenging, but efforts are ongoing to contain and eventually extinguish the devastating wildfire on the island of Rhodes.