2023-07-24 10:13:57
After the evacuation of thousands of tourists and locals, the fires continue to rage in the southeast of the Greek holiday island of Rhodes. The forest fires that got out of control over the weekend have been blazing for a good week. With the first light of day, firefighting planes and helicopters should be used once more around the village of Laerma on Monday morning, as the fire brigade announced. During the night, hundreds of firefighters fought once morest the flames spreading to other villages and towns, as reported by state television (ERT).
Ten fire-fighting aircraft and eight helicopters were deployed on Rhodes on Sunday. Including two planes from France, two from Turkey, one from Croatia and a helicopter from Jordan, according to the fire department. Drought combined with high temperatures and wind will allow the fire to spread.
A fire-fighting plane over an affected area in Rhodes. (July 23, 2023)
Photo: Damianidis Lefteris (Keystone)
Thousands of tourists who had to leave their hotels around the popular holiday town of Lindos on Saturday because of the heavy smoke and the ever approaching flames spent the second night in sports halls and schools. Many waited at the airport for the next opportunity to depart.
Largest evacuation operation in Greek history: A basketball hall on Rhodes was converted into emergency accommodation for tourists. (July 23, 2023)
Photo: AFP
However, despite the fires, more tourists arrived on Sunday with charter and scheduled flights, reporters reported. Around 90 per cent of Rhodes’ hotels were unharmed by the fires, according to local authority officials – but most of them are fully booked given the peak season. The authorities spoke of almost 20,000 evacuees, including locals.
Out of control wildfires have prompted unprecedented mass evacuations on the Greek holiday island of Rhodes.
Video: Tamedia
Meanwhile, new questions are emerging related to the evacuation of hotels in the south-east of the island. Many tourists had left their suitcases and other items, including identity papers, in their rooms. Christos Pilatakis, a hotel director from the city of Lindos, told dpa on Sunday that this had to be settled between the travel agencies and the hotels. First, the fire brigade and police would have to allow the staff to return. After that, the things left behind should be sent to the respective countries of the guests. This will take a few days.
Strong wind drives the fires further
The fire brigade warned once more: The risk of forest fires will remain very strong in the south-east of the island on Monday and Tuesday. The reason is an increase in the wind. However, a first hope is in sight: Next Thursday, the heat wave that has been going on in Greece for practically two weeks should come to an end for the time being. Then, according to the forecast, the thermometers should once more reach normal temperatures of around 35 degrees for the season – instead of 40 degrees and more now.
The heat wave is also expected to end in other parts of Greece on Thursday. However, the risk of fire remains extremely high in many places. Other fires have already broken out. There were several fires over the weekend on the Peloponnese peninsula and on the holiday island of Corfu, which might reach dangerous dimensions due to the winds on Monday, as reported by local reporters. (SDA)
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