In the midst of Greece’s ongoing wildfire crisis, authorities have confirmed that more than 2,000 people have been evacuated from the picturesque island of Corfu. The nation is facing a devastating wave of wildfires, with Corfu becoming the latest Greek island to issue an evacuation order due to the spreading flames.
Photos shared on social media showcase the alarming sight of the inferno engulfing Corfu’s northern region, a popular destination for British tourists seeking scenic beauty and relaxation. The situation in Corfu comes in the wake of the massive evacuation efforts on the island of Rhodes, where approximately 19,000 people were evacuated as fires continue to spread from its centre.
Greece has been grappling with scorching heat, with temperatures soaring beyond 40°C (104°F) across the nation, creating ideal conditions for the rapid spread of wildfires. The fires have been blazing for nearly a week in some areas, causing immense destruction and posing serious threats to lives and property.
In response to the dire conditions, Greece’s Emergency Communications Service has issued evacuation orders for several areas of Corfu, including Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia, Perithia, and Sinies. Residents of these affected areas are being evacuated by sea, with boats dispatched for this purpose to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, the densely forested Kiotari region on the east of Rhodes has experienced the destruction of at least three hotels, leaving tourists and locals in dire need of essentials. Rhodes, situated approximately 1027km away from Corfu, has been grappling with wildfires exacerbated by strong winds since Tuesday, leading to massive evacuations. Over 16,000 people have been evacuated by land, and an additional 3,000 were evacuated by sea, marking it as the largest wildfire evacuation in Greek history.
As thousands of holidaymakers await flights to return home from Rhodes, holiday companies Jet2 and Tui have cancelled flights to the island. However, EasyJet is organizing repatriation flights to bring British nationals back home, providing much-needed relief to stranded travellers. In support of British nationals affected by the crisis, the UK Foreign Office has dispatched a rapid deployment team and Red Cross workers to Rhodes to assist with evacuation efforts and support travel operators.
Despite the heroic efforts of 260 firefighters and 18 aircraft battling the flames, Greece’s fire service has warned that the situation may worsen as more villages require evacuation. The battle to contain the wildfires is expected to take several days, with emergency services also grappling with fires on the islands of Evia, east of Athens, and Aigio, southwest of Athens. Homes have already been lost in these regions, further exacerbating the devastating impact of the ongoing wildfire crisis in Greece.
