Athens: On Saturday, authorities on the Greek island of Rhodes announced that they had evacuated 30,000 people who were in danger from wildfires, including 2,000 who had to be ferried off beaches.
South Aegean regional governor George Hadjimarkos told Skai television that road closures caused by fires had hampered the operation, which was still going on. The protection of human life is the goal, he declared.
While firefighters battle the fire, tourists and some locals were being transported to gyms, schools, and hotel conference centers on the island where they will spend the night.
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According to the Athens News Agency, three passenger ferries have been moored at the port of Rhodes to accommodate those who have been saved.
Numerous buses were used by the coast guard, the military, and employees of the local government to assist in relocating people away from the fires, according to Teris Hatziioannou, a representative of the Rhodes municipality.
Some tourists had to walk to safety in areas where the fires had blocked access to roads. Many locals rushed to assist the tourists, according to Panagiotis Dimelis, head of the Archangelos village council, who spoke to Skai TV.
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He continued, "It is an unprecedented situation for the island. The coast guard reported that three of its boats helped more than 30 private boats pick up people from the beaches of Kiotari and Lardos in the eastern part of the Mediterranean island.
The coast guard reported that a Greek navy boat was also en route to the area to offer assistance.
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Early that afternoon, as soon as the evacuation alert went off, tourists started making their way to the beach while dragging their luggage behind them. Some of them could be seen on local video footage pushing strollers while toting young children in the blazing sun.
According to media reports, some of those in need of rescue missed their flights out of the island because the fires blocked the normal transport routes. Firefighters are still working to contain the island fire in other locations.
The Rhodes fire, which started on a mountain in the island's center, was the most challenging one that his crew had to deal with, according to deputy fire chief Yannis Artopoios.
During the day, 200 firefighters and five helicopters battled the blaze, but as the light faded, the air support was suspended. In the vicinity of Laermon and Lardos, where the fire in Rhodes is out of control, the fight to put it out continues.
As they attempted to persuade the nuns residing there to leave, some firefighters were left stranded in the Ypseni Monastery, close to Lardos, according to ERT TV. However, they were said to be secure.