Greece names seven extra areas susceptible to ‘excessive fires’

Greece has warned that seven areas throughout the nation are going through “extreme fire risks” as tens of hundreds, together with Brits, are evacuated. 

The island of Rhodes has been engulfed in flames for six days however the state of affairs grew to become extra extreme over the weekend. 

The majority of flights to the island have since been cancelled and journey companies, together with easyJet and jet2, have stated they may solely be working repatriation flights within the coming days to deliver again the stranded British holidaymakers. 

Greece is ready for extra excessive temperatures over the course of the approaching week, with forecasts of as much as 45C, as many concern for the security of these remaining on the island and past. 

A spokesperson for the native hearth companies stated the flames had been contained to “two major fronts” however they may unfold if “left unchecked”. 

The Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued the “extreme fire risks” to be efficient from tomorrow. 

The seven areas in jeopardy embody Attica, Evia, Boeotia, Corinthia, Ilia, Argolis, Messinia and Rhodes. 

Hundreds of British holidaymakers are nonetheless trapped on the island of Rhodes as they frantically look to discover a flight again residence. 

Travel agency easyJet stated it’s going to function two repatriation flights from Rhodes on Monday and a 3rd on Tuesday to deliver British holidaymakers again to London Gatwick Airport.

British Embassy officers in Athens urged Brits to go away the world on Saturday night however flights into Rhodes proceed to be cancelled.

Many had been compelled to flee to excessive floor late on Saturday night time (July 22) to flee the wildfires whereas others needed to sleep on mattresses exterior an evacuation camp. 

The island of Rhodes is a well-liked British vacationer vacation spot, notably in the summertime months. 

Yiannis Artopios, a hearth service spokesman, stated that whereas solely a small proportion of the island’s “hotel infrastructure” had been affected up to now, the fires may nonetheless unfold. 

He stated: “The focus now is to contain two major fronts in the south and central part of the island.

“The regions hit so far may account for less than 10 percent of the island’s hotel infrastructure, but if left unchecked the blazes can threaten the remaining 90 percent.”

A UK authorities spokesperson stated 5 employees from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and 4 British Red Cross responders had been despatched to Rhodes as a part of the Rapid Deployment Team.

“We are actively monitoring the fires in Rhodes and are in close contact with local authorities,” the assertion learn. “The FCDO has deployed a Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) of five FCDO staff and four British Red Cross responders to Rhodes to support British Nationals, whose safety is our top priority.

“They will be based at Rhodes International Airport to assist with travel documents and liaise with Greek authorities and travel operators on the ground.”