Boatlift Operation Evacuates 3,000 People Fleeing Fires on Rhodes
On Saturday, the Hellenic Coast Guard organized a massive boatlift to evacuate coastal areas on the southeast side of Rhodes, where raging wildfires threaten life and property. An estimated 30 good samaritan boats aided the coast guard in evacuating tourists and residents, saving about 2-3,000 people.
The effort was focused on a stretch of coastline between Kiotari and Pefkoi (left, shaded in gray, courtesy Civil Protection Greece). It was one element of an operation to move thousands of residents and tourists It is believed to be the largest mass evacuation in modern Greek history.
Fires broke out in forested interior areas last week, and they have spread along a north-south swath that almost bisects the island. Winds have been aiding the expansion, and the blaze has reached the water near Lardos.
The timing could not be worse. Rhodes is a major tourist destination and welcomes more than two million visitors per year. July is peak season, and first responders had to evacuate thousands of tourists in addition to local residents. As of Sunday, an estimated 19,000 people have been relocated by the authorities, including those who departed by boatlift.
Wildfires burn out of control on the Greek island of #Rhodes
— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) July 23, 2023
People waiting for the boat to leave the island as soon as possible.#Fire #Laerma #????????????? #????? #Rhodos #rhodesfires #???????? #Greece #Greecewildfires pic.twitter.com/2JhBRAPZQY
#Rhodes #fire Lardos being told to evacuate pic.twitter.com/6xhvqgAbcz
— mark fiander (@markfiander2) July 22, 2023
Onboard footage from a #Bell 214ST helicopter flying over the inferno in #Rhodes island.#fire #rhodesfire #Rhodos #Greece pic.twitter.com/uIg2NAI9Lj
— Dimitris (@dmysd) July 23, 2023
Currently in #rhodes was staying at #mayia resort and there was no evacuation, we just suddenly got told to run. Walked for hours along the beach and hitchhiked to another hotel. Can still see the fires and getting zero information. Luckily met lots of very kind local people. pic.twitter.com/tCHWDSauiz
— Robert Sladden (@RobSladden) July 22, 2023
According to Athens News Agency, three ferries have arrived at the Port of Rhodes and moored alongside the pier in order to provide emergency housing for evacuees. Airlines are dispatching empty flights to Rhodes in order to fly out stranded holiday-goers.
So far, no fatalities have been reported. Nine people with respiratory problems have been provided with first aid, and one person sustained a fracture in a fall while evacuating a hotel.
For firefighters and emergency responders who remain behind, the situation on the ground is challenging. Temperatures are expected to exceed 110 degrees F, ideal conditions for boosting a forest fire, and the power has gone out on the south side of the island. The focus for the response is on preventing the blaze from damaging key infrastructure in the south and spreading to the densely wooded areas to the northeast.