Wildfires in Greece, in pictures


Greece has been grappling with searing heat and devastating wildfires, exacerbated by temperatures exceeding 40C, and strong winds.

Nicolas Economou / Reuters

Fires on Rhodes have blazed for nearly a week, with Corfu and Evia becoming the latest Greek islands to issue evacuation orders.

Aerial view of the fires on the island of Rhodes

DPA via Alamy

Huge plumes of smoke rose into the atmosphere, as firefighters and volunteers struggled to control the fires.

A firefighting helicopter drops water to extinguish a wildfire, in Diakopto, Egio, Greece

Giota Lotsari / EPA

Firefighters, volunteers and police officers operate as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes

Nicolas Economou / Reuters

After tackling fires all night near the the village of Asklipieio, on Rhodes, firefighters grabbed some rest at dawn (below).

Firefighters rest at dawn as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio, on the island of Rhodes

Nicolas Economou / Reuters

Over the weekend, more than 19,000 people were evacuated from Rhodes.Holidaymakers were forced to leave their hotels, some without luggage.

Tourists are evacuated as huge wildfire rages on Rhodeson 22 July 2023

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Evacuees have been put into temporary accommodation at sports halls and conference centres.

Tourists are sheltered in a sports hall after being evacuated following a wildfire on the island of Rhodes

Fedja Grulovic / Reuters

At airports, there have been scenes of chaos and long queues, as tourists wait to be flown out.Airline companies and holiday companies are planning to send repatriation flights to return stranded people to the UK.

Tourists sleep as others line up at check-in counters, while waiting for departing planes at the airport on Rhodes

Nicolas Economou / Reuters

Tourists wait for departing planes at the airport on Rhodes

Fedja Grulovic / Reuters

The fires have left large areas of Rhodes burnt and blackened.As the hot weather conditions continue, there is the ever-present danger that new fires will break out.

General view of a burnt area after a wildfire in Kiotari village, on Rhodes

Damianidis Lefteris / EPA

All photographs subject to copyright.


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