Officials report that a massive wildfire is currently raging across the Greek island of Rhodes, leading to the evacuation of thousands of tourists from their hotels. The wildfire has been spreading in the central and southern parts of the island since Tuesday. This particular blaze is the largest among several wildfires occurring in Greece, where a heat wave has settled, predicted to be the country’s longest-lasting on record.
Images shown on Greek television reveal the fires and smoke encroaching upon properties and beaches in Rhodes, while videos shared on social media depict large groups of tourists evacuating their hotels on foot. Thankfully, around 10,000 tourists were safely transported to the northern part of the island on Saturday, with the Rhodes Hotel Association coordinating their evacuation. The association reported that tourists from 12 hotels were moved using buses, on foot, and by sea, with the coastguard and private vessels contributing to the effort.
Local fire authorities stated that approximately 2,000 people were evacuated by boats. Fortunately, the number of hotels ordered to evacuate accounts for less than 10% of the island’s total tourist capacity. However, eight people were taken to the hospital due to respiratory issues caused by the fire, according to fire officials.
The wildfire is currently burning near the regions of Kiotari and Lardos, which are relatively close to the Lindos archaeological site, though it hasn’t been threatened thus far.
The Greek Ministry of Civil Protection has issued red alerts for wildfires in 13 departments, including the Attica region where the capital city of Athens is situated. The red alert is the highest state of alarm, indicating an extreme risk of fire. The heat wave has prompted adjustments to visiting hours at the Acropolis and other archaeological sites in Athens due to the soaring temperatures. Additionally, some site staff members are on strike, protesting their working conditions.
Experts from the National Observatory of Athens have warned that the heat wave could extend for an unprecedented 15 to 16 days, possibly even longer. This situation surpasses any previous heat waves faced by the country, with the longest continuous heat wave lasting 12 days in July 1987. Temperatures in Athens are expected to challenge the city’s all-time record set in June 2007, when the thermometer reached 44.8 degrees Celsius (112.64 degrees Fahrenheit).
The extreme weather is not limited to Greece; large parts of the northern hemisphere are experiencing intense temperatures and various forms of extreme weather. For instance, Italy’s Veneto region was hit with tennis-ball sized hail, causing injuries and significant damage to property. Rome also witnessed record-breaking heat, reaching a new high temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The Balkans were not spared either, as severe thunderstorms resulted in several casualties.
Scientists are sounding the alarm, cautioning that these extreme weather events may be only a glimpse of what the future holds as global warming continues to impact the planet. As temperatures rise, weather patterns are expected to undergo unpredictable and potentially more intense changes.
