Greece evacuates thousands of tourists in Rhodes Island as wildfire rages

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows a massive wildfire raging the Rhodes island in Greece. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

ATHENS, July 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said.

A massive wildfire on Rhodes has raged since Tuesday afternoon burning down a dense forest.

Although firefighters had managed to put out several flare-ups on the island over the last few days, the strong winds and extreme temperatures rekindled the fires on the island's central-eastern side.

Emergency alert messages were sent to residents to evacuate four seaside villages.

At the beaches in both Kiotari and Lardo, coastguard vessels assisted by ferries and private boats transferred people to safe zones. Thousands more people were evacuated over land to other parts of the island.

More than 200 firefighters and 40 fire engines were operating on the ground, assisted by three planes and five helicopters. The force included 31 firefighters from Slovakia, with five fire engines.

"Less than 10 percent of the island's tourist accommodations" were affected by the evacuation order, local fire department spokesman Yannis Artopios was quoted by Athens News Agency as saying.

The wildfire on Rhodes is one of hundreds to have broken out across Greece this week, fueled by dry weather and dry conditions due to a second heatwave set to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in central Greece on Sunday.

A helicopter is seen above the Rhodes island in Greece, July 22, 2023. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows smoke caused by a massive wildfire in the Rhodes island in Greece. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

People wait to evacuate after a wildfire hit the Rhodes island in Greece, July 22, 2023. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows smoke caused by a massive wildfire in the Rhodes island in Greece. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 22, 2023 shows smoke caused by a massive wildfire in the Rhodes island in Greece. At least 2,000 residents and holidaymakers were evacuated by sea in the fire-stricken areas of Rhodes island in Greece on Saturday evening, authorities said. (Photo by Argiris Mantikos/Xinhua)