Updated 17:00 | Published 16:52
For the fourth day in a row, forest fires are ravaging Greece.
Marina Korkidas, 53, and her family live in Rhodes, which was hit hard by the fires.
– It’s chaos, says Marina Korkidas.
Around Greece it’s burning right now. Since Tuesday, forest fires have raged in several places in the country and firefighting aircraft have flown in from Italy and France to help in extinguishing work which is supported by firefighters, military and volunteer workers.
The fires are said to have come so close during Wednesday that they have been described as being “a breath away”.
– We have always had forest fires and will always have them, said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Marina’s home island in flames
The three villages of Eleousa, Salakos and Dimylia on Rhodes were evacuated as the fires are deemed uncontrollable.
When Aftonbladet reaches Marina Korkidas, 53, who lives in the village of Salakos, she has just returned home after being evacuated for two days together with her daughter who lives in the village of Eleousa. Marina lives at the foot of the mountain where the fire broke out again.
– It has been burning here for four days. It’s chaos but everyone helps as best they can, says Marina Korkidas.
Marina’s husband Makis Korkidas, 61, used to work as a firefighter and has spent the whole night volunteering to put out the fire. 32-year-old son Simon also helps. Some of the volunteers are children as young as ten, according to Marina. They do not help in the firefighting work, but in distributing water to the firefighters.
– So far they have said that the fire is under control on the mountain, but if the wind turns it will come down towards us, says Marina.
“The heart of Rhodes is in flames”
Although the situation on Rhodes during Friday calmed down somewhat, the fire is far from over. Three municipalities have declared a state of emergency. Both helicopters and water-bombing aircraft help in the extinguishing work together with around a hundred firefighters.
The ground is filled with embers which, with the wind, can easily flare up into a new fire.
– The ashes are raining down. Our beautiful green side, the heart of Rhodes, is in flames, says Marina.
Very high fire risk during the day
Five regions in Greece have declared a very high fire risk and authorities continue to appeal to citizens to be extra careful. 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.