Hit by a historic heat wave, Greece is also suffering from major fires. Several islands even had to be evacuated due to the impossibility of controlling the fires.
30,000 people evacuated from the island of Rhodes2,500 Corfu, the Greek authorities have decided to take every precaution against the progression of forest fires for a week. These places, which are very touristic, are currently unable to control these fires. In Rhodes, a large part of the territory burned, more than 40,000 hectares according to France info. This corresponds to a third of this island. There are currently no fatalities from these fires.
More than 20 boats took part in “the largest evacuation operation ever carried out” in Greece for the evacuation of 30,000 tourists from the island of Rhodes according to Konstantia Dimoglidou, the spokeswoman for the local police. Despite the 10 Canadair and eight helicopters operating in this area, as well as forty-nine fire engines, the fires are still uncontrollable.
Temperatures above 45°C
In total, nearly 67 fire outbreaks are deemed uncontrollable in Greece. The results of the weekend do not encourage optimism since only twelve fires were stopped. Only the situation in Athens has improved. The heat wave that affects the whole country has favored the appearance of forest fires. Le Monde points out that “in the center of the country and in the Peloponnese peninsula, temperatures between 45 ° C and 46.4 ° C were recorded on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Observatory of Athens.” A 46-year-old man died on July 20 on the island of Evia after medical staff recorded a “body temperature of 40 degrees” when he was admitted to the emergency room.
Greek public television, ERT, refers to one of the “hottest weekends recorded in July in the last fifty years.” “Athens is going to have temperatures over 40°C for 6-7 days, until the end of July,” said Panagiotis Giannopoulos, a Greek meteorologist with France 24. The fires are also fanned by gusts of wind which promote the spread of flames.
Managing the thousands of tourists has proven tricky for Greece
If the thousands of evacuated tourists welcome the prevention of the authorities with the choice to anticipate the evacuations, they are faced with a major problem: the Mediterranean country does not have the infrastructure to accommodate so many evacuees. The airports of the evacuated islands are marked by massive overcrowding with people lying on the ground for endless hours waiting for a plane.
Holidaymakers sent to the mainland are placed on hold in gymnasiums and schools with delicate sanitary arrangements. Franceinfo spoke of “apocalyptic conditions”. France sent two Canadair as reinforcements who have already carried out more than 130 drops. Italy, Turkey, Israel and Jordan are also supporting the Greek relief forces with the support of planes, helicopters and firefighters.