People have been evacuated from the island of Rhodes due to wildfires by more than 20 boats, reports news agency AFP. According to the Greek Coast Guard, people have been picked up from the beaches of Kiotari and Lardos, popular with tourists.
According to media reports, about a thousand people have been taken to safer shores. According to CNN Greece In the Kiotar area, three evacuated, empty hotels were left at the mercy of the advancing wildfire.
According to Helena Häkär, head of consular services and administration at the Athens representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are currently around 300 Finns in Rhodes who have filed a travel declaration, as well as an unknown number of those who have not.
According to Häkär, the wildfires have not caused personal injuries so far.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the fires in Ródos continue, especially in the areas of Asklipieio, Kiotar, Lardos and Pilonas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges you to avoid fire areas, follow the instructions of local authorities and keep loved ones informed of the situation.
In addition, it is worth following the announcements of the tour operators, the hotel and the media.
In cases of emergency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends contacting the ministry’s emergency number +358916055555.
Nina Railanmaa from Pori said that soot comes into the hotel room
Nina Railanmaa from Pori is with her husband Petri Koskinen in the village of Lardos on the east coast of the island in the Sun Beach hotel. Railanmaa said on the phone in the evening local time that the hotel’s electricity has been out since nine in the morning.
– Heavy clouds of smoke can be seen from the mountains. Even on the beach, the smoke is separated in the air, and the hotel room gets some kind of soot. People are a little worried.
According to Railanmaa, she and her husband are not yet worried about the situation, but they are considering leaving Lardos.
– However, you can’t get taxis and the police have closed the roads. We have our bags packed and water and chips in the hotel room.
According to Railanmaa, some tourists have left their hotel. The couple has tried to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for instructions, so far without success.
– The staff has terribly not advised about the situation.
Laura Aaltonen, communications manager of TUI travel agency, says that around 50 Finnish tourists will be transferred from accommodation in the Kiotari area to another destination on the island. According to Aaltonen, the site is located “near” Kiotari. Kiotar is located 10 kilometers north of Lardos village.
Even at the moment, it doesn’t look like tourists will be completely evacuated from the island.
– We are monitoring the situation and taking measures as requested by the authorities, Aaltonen says.