Massive Wildfires Ravage Greek Island of Rhodes, Forcing Largest Evacuation in Country's History

In the Greek island of Rhodes, wildfires have been raging for the past six days, leading to the evacuation of approximately 19,000 people. This evacuation is being dubbed as the largest in the country's history.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection confirmed that 16,000 individuals were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and various hotels.

Fortunately, there have been no casualties reported, but six people were briefly hospitalized for respiratory problems and later released. Two individuals remain hospitalized, one with a broken leg and a pregnant woman who is in good condition.

The impact of the wildfires is extending beyond the local population. Package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 have canceled flights to Rhodes, leaving tourists stranded. Jet2 canceled five flights scheduled for Sunday but plans to send the empty planes to Rhodes to retrieve customers. TUI, on the other hand, has canceled all flights to the island until at least Tuesday.

British tourist Kevin Evans shared the panic and chaos experienced during the evacuation. The abandoned hotels, however, are reported to be in much better condition than what has been portrayed on social media, with plans to reopen once given approval by Civil Protection.

Efforts to combat the wildfires are underway, with over 450 firefighters, seven airplanes, and eight helicopters deployed by the European Union and other countries. These teams are working to contain the fires on the ground and prevent further spread, particularly in the mountainous regions and dense forests of Rhodes.

However, the hot weather and low winds in the Mediterranean country are complicating firefighting efforts. Temperatures have already reached 38°C (100°F) and are expected to rise even further.

The situation is being closely monitored by local authorities, including the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is sending personnel to set up a help desk at Rhodes International Airport for those who have lost their travel documents during the evacuation.

Evacuated individuals, including tourists, are being accommodated in alternative hotels, gyms, and even a conference center. Some shipping companies have even offered their ships for accommodation.

Meanwhile, authorities have designated a significant portion of Greece, including the island of Rhodes, as Category 5, the highest risk for fire outbreaks, while other areas are designated as Category 4, indicating a very high risk.

As the wildfires continue to pose a threat to Rhodes and other parts of Greece, meteorologists have warned of another heatwave starting Tuesday, which will persist until at least Friday. This ongoing crisis requires the collaborative efforts of firefighters, volunteers, and international support to protect lives, property, and the affected regions from further devastation.