Fires in Rhodes out of control – Authorities evacuate settlements

Strong winds are hampering efforts to control the fronts

The authorities ordered the evacuation of the areas of Asclepieio and Kiotari in Rhodes, in the direction of Gennadi, with a message sent via 112, while earlier the evacuation of the villages of Lardo and Pylona was requested, as the fires on the island of Rhodes are difficult to contain.

According to rodiaki.gr, two hotels, Lindian Village and Rodos Village in Kiotari, are being evacuated. There are more than 30 buses at the hotels in order to transport tourists to a safer area and according to the instructions of the Civil Protection.

The fire in Rhodes is still raging out of control, with firefighters battling the flames. However, the efforts to put out the blaze are ongoing but are hampered by strong winds blowing in the area.

The Laermon front has flared up once again, as the flames crossed the main road and are moving towards Lardo, while strong winds are blowing in the area.

Two helicopters and three aircraft, as well as the Mi-26 helicopter sent to Greece by Jordan to extinguish forest fires, are assisting from the air since the morning. At the same time, ground forces are being further reinforced. 32 firefighters have already arrived on the island from Slovakia and 13 fire engines with their crew from Romania, as well as 25 firefighters from Thessaloniki.

Three sea vessels from the coast guard are on high alert in the area of Lindos – Lardos, 1 boat of the Coast Guard, 1 ambulance of the Coast Guard, and private aircraft in the port of Rhodes to assist, if required, due to the fire.

The Red Cross of Rhodes issued an appeal to the citizens, as pharmaceutical materials are needed.

In particular, they need:

Vaseline and sterile gauze

Burn ointments

saline solution 500ml

Elastic bandages

tears natural eye drops

Also isotonic sachets, cereal bars, broken coffee

These can be forwarded to the Red’s warehouses in the old hospital by any citizen who wants to do so.