A wildfire is raging out of control on Rhodes, forcing tourist evacuations

A large blaze burning on the Greek island of Rhodes for the fifth day has forced authorities to order an evacuation of four locations, including two seaside resorts.

In previous days, the wildfire was confined to the island's mountainous center, but aided by winds, very high temperatures and dry conditions, it spread Saturday toward the coast on the island's central-eastern side. Local media reported the fires had reached three hotels, whose clients had already been evacuated.

Fire department spokesman Yannis Artopios said Saturday afternoon that the residents of four localities were sent SMS messages to evacuate — in two localities they were told to move to the northeast and, in two others, to the southwest.

Tourists are being evacuated as wildfire burns near Lindos, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 22, 2023. [Lefteris Diamandis/Reuters]

Artopios said...