Updated 00:26 | Published 00:22
For several days, intense fires have ravaged the tourist paradise island of Rhodes.
Now local authorities are reporting that large areas have been affected by power cuts.
Despite this, 1,300 Swedish travelers are expected to be flown down to the chaos on the Greek island during Sunday.
– It’s so hot, the shops are closed and the AC doesn’t work. It’s a bit of chaos, says a person on site to Aftonbladet.
The intense forest fires are raging on the popular tourist island of Rhodes and Greek authorities are appealing to the islanders and visitors to be careful.
At least five regions have been evacuated and 2,000 people have fled the island, Reuters reports.
During Saturday evening, local media reported that large parts of the island were affected by extensive power outages.
– It’s so hot, the shops are closed and the AC doesn’t work. It’s a bit of chaos, says a person on site to Aftonbladet.
Swedish tourists are evacuated – and flown down
Hundreds of firefighters are working to fight the fires by water bombing with airplanes – but due to strong winds, new fires are being pushed forward.
But despite the chaos, Ving will continue to fly to Rhodes, as early as tomorrow Sunday flights will take off with over 1,300 new guests.
But 42 have to stay at home because their hotel has been closed.
– Those hotels and those areas are not available. It is not possible to find equivalent alternatives, so unfortunately we had to cancel the trips. Of course they get the money back. I hope they can come up with something else in the coming holiday week.
TUI will evacuate around 80 guests from Lindos, a few kilometers from the Lardos area.
– The wind has changed direction towards Lindos. We will have to move about 80 guests from three hotels. We do it for security reasons. There will be some ash raining down, says Adam Györki, Nordic communications manager at TUI.
Apollo has also begun the evacuation of around 160 Swedish guests.
The Prime Minister: Warns of the heat
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned because new fires could break out in the coming days when temperatures are expected to rise above 45 degrees.
– We have another heat stroke ahead of us and possibly stronger winds, so we really have to be on our guard during the days, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.