Residents and tourists on the picturesque Greek island of Rhodes found themselves fleeing from the menacing wildfire that has engulfed the region. Firefighters, backed by water jets and helicopters, have been tirelessly battling the raging inferno, marking Greece’s largest-ever fire evacuation.
The situation has been exacerbated by strong wind gusts reaching up to 49km/h (30mph), posing significant challenges to bringing the flames under control. The island of Rhodes, renowned for its stunning beauty, is a favorite vacation destination, particularly cherished by British, German, and French tourists. These tourists were rapidly moved out of harm’s way, seeking safety from the advancing blaze.
As Greece endures an extended period of extreme heat, the fire has been burning relentlessly for nearly a week on Rhodes. The mercury soared to a scorching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in central Greece on Sunday, and although temperatures were expected to drop temporarily on Monday, they were anticipated to surge again in a four-day heatwave.
According to Konstantia Dimoglidou, a Greek police spokeswoman, this evacuation stands as the largest in Greece’s history, impacting around 30,000 people. Authorities have worked tirelessly to transport approximately 16,000 individuals by land, with an additional 3,000 being evacuated by sea. Many others have fled using their own means of transport after being urgently instructed to vacate the area.
The formidable challenge in extinguishing the wildfire lies in the relentless wind, pushing and reigniting flames across vast expanses of land. The country has been on high alert for days, owing to the elevated risk of fires resulting from the prolonged heatwave.
As this environmental disaster unfolds, the safety and well-being of residents and visitors remain the top priority. The Greek authorities, along with firefighting personnel, are putting forth immense efforts to contain the fire and protect lives and property on the beautiful island of Rhodes.
Source : Aljazeera