Authorities evacuated thousands of people as wildfires threatened homes and hotels on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Officials revealed that over 2,000 were rescued from beaches on Saturday after flames threatened hotels and tourist areas.
The operation had been hampered by fires cutting off some road access. “The aim is to protect human life,” a spokesman said.
People were being taken to gyms, schools, and conference centers on the island, while firefighters battled the blaze.
Meanwhile, coastguard vessels and more than 20 private boats were taking part in an emergency evacuation of people stranded on beaches close to Kiotari and Lardos on Saturday night, according to a coastguard official.
The fire service announced that more than 200 firefighters and 40 fire engines were tackling the blaze, assisted by five planes and three helicopters, as well as firefighters from Slovakia drafted in to help.
Fire service spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis told a local TV station that high winds and a six-mile fire front running from the center of the island to its eastern beaches were creating extreme conditions.
“This is not a fire that will be over tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” Varthakogiannis indicated. “It’ll be troubling us for days.”
He added that another 1,200 people were expected to be evacuated from the villages of Pefki, Lindos, and Kalathos.
