Chaos on Corfu as 2,000 Flee Raging Wildfires
Greece is battling a savage wildfire crisis as over 2,000 people have been forced to evacuate from the idyllic island of Corfu. Flames are tearing through the northern part of the island, sending fear through locals and British holidaymakers alike.
Stunning but terrifying pictures flooding social media show the inferno swallowing vast swathes of Corfu’s famous landscapes. This nightmare follows the massive evacuation from Rhodes, where nearly 19,000 people escaped the fires spreading from the island’s heart.
Scorching Heat Fuels Blaze Havoc
Record-breaking 40°C-plus temperatures have turned Greece into a tinderbox, perfect for wildfires to spread fast and furious. Some areas have been ablaze for days, causing severe damage and endangering countless lives.
The Greek Emergency Communications Service has ordered evacuations in multiple Corfu hotspots, including Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia, Perithia, and Sinies. Rescue teams are ferrying residents to safety by sea, deploying boats amid the chaos.
Rhodes Hotel Havoc as Fires Worsen
Meanwhile, on Rhodes, the firestorm has destroyed at least three hotels in the forested Kiotari area, leaving tourists and locals desperate for aid. Since Tuesday, relentless winds have fanned the wildfires, forcing the largest evacuation in Greek history.
- 16,000 evacuated by land
- 3,000 evacuated by sea
Thousands of stranded holidaymakers wait anxiously for flights home. Jet2 and Tui have cancelled Rhodes flights, but EasyJet is stepping in with repatriation services. The UK Foreign Office has sent a rapid response team and Red Cross workers to help Brits caught up in the mayhem.
Firefighters Face Gruelling Battle Ahead
More than 260 firefighters and 18 aircraft are fighting tooth and nail to contain the blaze, but officials warn the nightmare could worsen as more villages face evacuation orders.
Wildfires are also raging on other fronts, including the islands of Evia and parts of Aigio near Athens, where homes have already been destroyed. Greece’s wildfire crisis shows no sign of abating, leaving communities and tourists bracing for a long, fiery struggle ahead.
