Breaking News: Greece Undertakes Largest Evacuation in History as Wildfires Rage in Rhodes
In a desperate bid to safeguard the lives of thousands of men, women, and children, Greece has initiated its most extensive evacuation operation ever. The island of Rhodes is engulfed in uncontrollable wildfires, fueled by high-speed winds, which have been raging for an alarming six days.
According to the Greek fire department, a staggering 19,000 people, predominantly tourists occupying hotels, have been successfully relocated from the path of the relentless blazes. Approximately 16,000 of them were transported by land, while the remaining found refuge via sea.
The situation has prompted grave concerns for the nation's economy, heavily reliant on tourism, which constitutes a substantial 25% of the GDP and provides one in every five jobs. With holidaymakers caught in the fire's fury amidst the picturesque pine forests and historic ruins of Rhodes, authorities acted swiftly to protect them. The tourism minister, Olga Kefalogianni, is already en route to the affected region.
Tragically, the timing of this disaster coincides with what experts are calling the hottest July weekend in half a century, with temperatures predicted to soar to an unbearable 45°C (113°F). The scorching heat, accompanied by dry, windy conditions, has created a highly combustible environment for wildfires to erupt across the nation. Reports of additional infernos have emerged on the islands of Evia and Peloponnese on Sunday.
Devastatingly, flames reached the seaside villages of Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefki, Lindos, Lardos, and Kalathos, forcing many occupants to flee their hotels for safety. The streets were filled with scores of people, seeking refuge under the ominous red and smoke-filled sky.
Throughout the night, tourists and locals sought shelter in gyms, school buildings, indoor stadiums, and hotel conference centers. However, the scope of the evacuation extended beyond Rhodes, as thousands more residents and tourists from three other Greek islands were compelled to escape the relentless wildfires, causing havoc during the peak tourism season.
Adding to the tragedy, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis issued a somber warning, acknowledging the challenging days ahead due to the soaring temperatures. He estimated that over the weekend, approximately 32,000 precautionary evacuations were executed on Rhodes, Corfu, and Evia combined.
Firefighters have been laboring tirelessly, battling 82 fires that erupted across Greece, 64 of them starting on the record-breaking hottest day of the summer, Sunday. Their efforts, however, have been hampered by the lack of firefighting planes and helicopters operating at night.
Tourists at Rhodes International Airport have been anxiously awaiting repatriation flights, with holiday companies like TUI and Jet2 canceling scheduled trips to the embattled island.
Emergency shelters, hastily arranged in schools, airports, and sports facilities, have been inundated with tourists, notably many from the United Kingdom. In response, airlines, including Jet2, are organizing repatriation flights to expedite their safe return home.
As the situation unfolds, authorities are working tirelessly to contain the infernos and protect the lives of those in harm's way. The thoughts and concerns of the international community are with the people of Greece as they confront this unprecedented wildfire crisis.
With the wildfire crisis far from over, Greek authorities remain steadfast in their efforts to control the flames and minimize further damage, pledging to rebuild and rejuvenate the impacted regions.
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