The fire on the island of Rhodes continues to rage for the sixth day. Firefighting forces are battling three active fronts. The biggest problem is located in Kiotari and southwest towards Gennadi. Continuous flare-ups are also taking place in Apollo towards Profitis Ilias and at this time the forces are making a huge effort to prevent it from spreading further north into the dense forest. To the east of the technical lake Gadoura, a battle is being fought to prevent the flames from spreading toward Kalathos.

In the morning, 10 aircraft and five helicopters ( 7 Greek, 1 Croatian, and 2 Turkish) started water drops. The ground forces operating are 266 firefighters with 16 hiking teams and 49 water trucks. The firefighting forces are constantly being reinforced and another 10 vehicles with 60 firefighters are expected soon.

As seen in the videos of protothema.gr’s correspondent Lina Kekesi, the fire on Sunday morning continues its fiery destruction in the village of Kiotari with residents trying to contain the front with fire extinguishers. A major resurgence also occurred in the village of Asclepius, between Laerma and Kiotari.

In Laerma Rhodes, the fire burned warehouses and the flames surrounded the village church.

According to a police statement, due to the problems caused by the fire on the road network of Rhodes from Gennadi to Pylona, citizens wishing to travel from South Rhodes to Rhodes town and vice versa should follow the route Gennadi, Vati, Apolakkia, Monolithos, Siana, Kritinia, Kalavarda, Soroni, Theologos, Paradisi, Kremasti, Ialyssos Rhodes.

Meanwhile, shocking moments unfolded on the beaches of the island where thousands of residents and tourists fled to escape the fire. Dramatic videos on social networks, which are making the rounds, show Greek firefighters calling on tourists to leave their personal belongings and board the vehicles with them to save their lives. One firefighter is being treated for burns.