The picturesque Greek island of Rhodes has been engulfed in devastating wildfires, leading to the evacuation of approximately 19,000 people, including tourists hoping to spend their summer holidays in the idyllic destination. Greece’s Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection has termed this evacuation as “the largest ever from a wildfire in the country.”
As the fires continued to spread, authorities initiated the evacuation process to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. About 16,000 individuals were evacuated by land, while 3,000 others were rescued by sea, according to local officials. Despite the intensity of the wildfires, there have been no reported casualties. However, six people were briefly hospitalised due to respiratory issues caused by the dense smoke and flames.
The wildfires have led to major disruptions for tourists, especially British holidaymakers, who had planned to spend their vacations on the island. Travel companies, including Jet2 Holidays and Tui, had to cancel all flights and holidays to Rhodes until at least July 30. Thomas Cook also took swift action, cancelling holidays to high-risk areas of the island until July 31 and offering full refunds to affected customers. EasyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways confirmed that their flights to Rhodes were continuing as scheduled.
The UK government has been proactive in assisting British tourists stranded on the island. The Foreign Office dispatched a “rapid deployment team” to support those who were forced to evacuate amid the raging wildfires. Families had to leave their hotels in a hurry, leaving their belongings behind, as the ferocious flames approached. Some had to trek long distances to find safe havens, and rescue boats near the beach were utilised to evacuate those in immediate danger.
The wildfires, which had initially been confined to the mountainous interior of the island, spread rapidly due to strong winds, soaring temperatures reaching 45°C (113°F), and dry conditions. The six-day inferno continued to rage on Sunday, posing significant challenges for firefighters and rescue teams.
For those affected by the fires, more information from the Greek government is available at:
https:///www.government.gov.gr/qa-for-visitors-affected-by-the-forest-fires-in-rhodes/
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