A firefighting helicopter sprays water during firefighting efforts to control wildfires across Rhodes island, Greece, July 22, 2023.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes have been raging for six days, forcing thousands of tourists and islanders to take refuge in schools and indoor stadiums on Sunday after evacuating coastal villages and resorts.
Coast Guard ships and dozens of private boats picked up more than 2,000 tourists from beaches Saturday after strong winds fueled and reignited wildfires in the southeastern part of the island known for its beaches and ancient ruins.
Many people fled their hotels as the fire spread to the seaside villages of Kiotari, Gennadi, Peki, Lindos, Lados and Kalathos. Large crowds gathered on the streets under a smoky red sky, waiting to be rushed to safety.
“We now have 4,000 to 5,000 people living in different buildings,” Rhode Island Deputy Mayor Thanasis Virinis told Mega TV on Sunday, calling on people to donate essentials like mattresses and bedding.
A government official told Reuters that 19,000 people had been removed from their homes and hotels. The Civil Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Volunteers fight to extinguish fires on hillsides and charred buildings near Lindos. Lindos is one of the most visited attractions on the island, famous for its acropolis perched on a huge rock within the medieval city walls.
The risk of wildfires in nearly half of Greece was extremely high on Sunday, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), the civil protection agency warned. The heatwave in southern Europe and many parts of the world is likely to continue into August.
Fires are common in Greece, but hot, dry and windy summers have sparked more in recent years. Climate change means heat waves will become more frequent, an adviser to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Saturday.
In Rhode Island, evacuees, including residents of villages, were housed in hotels, indoor stadiums, convention centers and school buildings, fire department spokesman Ioannis Artopoios told Skai radio.
“They were given food, water and medical help,” he said, adding that the Greek foreign ministry would assist foreigners who wanted to leave Greece at Rhodes airport.
Firefighters, supported by sprinkler aircraft, fought on three fronts Sunday, setting up firebreaks to prevent the fire from spreading into dense forest or threatening more residential areas.
The blaze has scorched swathes of forest and several buildings since erupting in the mountains on Tuesday.