Wildfires rage across Rhodes, Corfu in Greece

Wildfires have been raging in Rhodes, Greece for about a week now. Originating 30 kilometres north of Athens, the wildfires have mainly affected central and southeastern parts of the island.

This has prompted the country to conduct its biggest evacuation ever. Fanned by high speed winds, the fires have forced more than 19,000 people to evacuate over the weekend across three fronts of the Aegan Island.

This had been the hottest July in Greece in the last 50 years, while the temperatures were predicted to reach 45 degrees Celsius. Firefighters fought to extinguish a blaze that charred buildings near Lindos, one of the island’s most visited sites.

Authorities especially made sure that all the tourists were out of harm’s way, since tourism accounts for 25 per cent of the country’s GDP. Firefighters from Italy, the Czech Republic, France and Turkey have rushed for aid.

Tourists and locals, who were evacuated, had to spend the night in gyms, school buildings and indoor stadiums. Authorities warned that the battle to contain the flames will take several days.

The fires began at peak tourism season for Rhodes, which has a population of more than 100,000 and welcomed about 2.5 million tourists last year.

Fires are common in Greece but hotter temperatures have turned the country into a wildfire hotspot of late. Meteorologists have warned that the sweltering temperatures could last until the end of the month.

New infernos have also broken out across Evia, Corfu and Pelopponese, because of the hot and dry conditions.

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