2,000 people evacuated on a Greek island due to a world fire

2,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island because of the fire

Greek authorities estimate that around 2,000 people have been evacuated from homes and hotels on the island of Rhodes because a fire broke out in the area.

Coast guard vessels and more than 30 private boats helped evacuate residents and tourists by sea, according to a government spokesperson.

There are no injuries so far, according to the Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Defense.

A wildfire spreads wildfire on the island of Rhodes, Greece – Image: Argiris Mantikos/Eurokinissi via Reuters

The body says that visitors are being evacuated from the affected area, which makes up less than 10% of the tourist area of Rhodes, and taken to other hotels on the island, according to the BBC. Other people are sheltering in a covered playground.

Helicopters and 173 firefighters are helping planes carrying water and reinforcements from Slovakia try to contain the flames. The fire has already hit three hotels.

According to Reuters news agencies, Greek television showed long lines of tourists carrying luggage at roadsides as part of the evacuation process.

“We prepared fire barriers around Larma village last night, but a 180-degree wind change this morning helped increase the size of the fire over several kilometers,” Rhodes deputy mayor Konstarinos Taraslias told OpenTV.

Two tourists evacuated from the island of Rhodes, Greece, due to a fire – Photo: Lefteris Diamandis/Reuters