Thousands more evacuated as Rhodes wildfire continues to rage

·

The wildfire racing across the Greek island of Rhodes for a week now continued to rage uncontained on Monday evening, Ekathimerini has reported.

The wildfire has so far burned an estimated 34,200 hectares.

Things took a turn for the worse on Monday as the fire tore past defences and more evacuations were ordered, in the central and southern parts of the island.

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire in Asklipio village on Rhodes island. Photo: Aristidis Vafeiadakis/Zuma/Shutterstock.

The latest evacuations were ordered in south Rhodes after 19,000 people, mostly tourists, were moved in buses and boats over the weekend out of the path of the fire. It was the country’s biggest evacuation effort in recent years.

“We are at war – completely focused on the fires,” Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a debate in Parliament. “Over the coming days and weeks, we must remain on constant alert.”

Wildfires are also raging on the islands of Corfu and Evia and on the mainland, notably in the Peloponnese, southern Greece. 

Overnight, an estimated 2,466 citizens had fled dwellings in 17 villages along Corfu’s northern coast, while hundreds had been forced to evacuate communities on Evia.

These fires come as Greece experienced the hottest temperatures in 50 years at the weekend, with the mercury reaching 45 degree Celsius in the central region of Thessaly.

A wildfire burns at the Trapeza village, in Achaia in the Peloponnese. Photo: Giota Lotsari/EPA.

Temperatures are set to climb again on Tuesday after a day of relative respite.

The Fire Service has announced that most of the island of Crete, with the exception of the regional unit of Hania, as well as Rhodes and the nearby islands, are facing an extreme risk (Category 5, the highest) of new fire outbreaks.

Source: Ekathimerini.

READ MORE: Australian helicopters join fight against wildfires in Greece.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘I will never forget you’: Emotional farewell for Greek Consul General in Sydney

An emotional Greek Consul General Yannis Mallikourtis delivered his farewell speech on Monday evening at Business Sydney’s Event Centre.

Adelaide’s St Sophrony Parish raises funds for hall construction

The newly established St Sophrony of Essex parish in Hectorville, Adelaide, held its first official fundraising dinner on Sunday, June 29.

From homelessness to homeowner: Kostas Papadimitropoulos shares his inspirational story

Melbourne man Kostas Papadimitropoulos has turned his life around after being scammed out of his life savings and forced to live in his car.

Sydney Dance Company shines at Athens Epidaurus Festival with ‘Impermanence’

The Sydney Dance Company captivated a crowd of 5,000 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus last week, performing 'Impermanence.'

Former ATO worker Paraskevi Vula Danassis convicted in $2 billion GST scam

Former Australian Taxation Office employee Paraskevi Vula Danassis has been convicted over her role in a $2 billion GST fraud scheme.

You May Also Like

Australian Greens leader calls for recognition of Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocides

Australian Greens leader, Adam Bandt, joins the Joint Justice Initiative calling for recognition of Greek, Armenian and Assyrian Genocides.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios to attend National Metropolitan Choir performance in 2021 for 30th anniversary of the Patriarch

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios will attend the first appearance of the National Metropolitan Choir in 2021 in the City for the 30th anniversary of the Patriarch.

Greek PM’s tribute to Arthur Leggett OAM delivered at state funeral in Perth

A heartfelt message from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was read out at the state funeral of Arthur Leggett OAM.