Photos: Fires rage across parts of Greece as high winds, heat waves continue

New evacuations ordered in Greece as high winds and heat fuel wildfires

Published: July 24, 2023 17:23 AP and Compiled by Nilanjana Javed, Editorial Liaison Manager

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A weeklong wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes tore past defenses Monday, forcing more evacuations, as three major fires raged elsewhere in the country fueled by strong winds and successive heat waves. Above: A Romanian firefighter gives water to a rabbit saved from a wildfire burning on the island of Rhodes, Greece. Image Credit: Reuters

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The latest evacuations were ordered in south Rhodes after 19,000 people, mostly tourists, were moved in buses and boats over the weekend out of the path of the fire that reached several coastal areas from nearby mountains. Image Credit: AP

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Help continued to arrive from the European Union and elsewhere, with Turkish firefighting planes joining the effort in Rhodes, where eight water-dropping planes and 10 helicopters buzzed over flames up to five meters (16 feet) tall despite low visibility. Above: A helicopter drops water water over fires in the northern part of the Greek island of Corfu. Image Credit: AFP

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Overnight, evacuations were also ordered on the western island of Corfu, where more than 2,000 people including tourists were moved to safety, on the island of Evia and in a mountainous area in the southern Peloponnese region. Above: Smoke rises as wildfire burns near the village of Palia Perithia, on the island of Corfu. Image Credit: REUTERS/Adonis Skordilis

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen contacted Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis late Sunday to offer additional assistance. Above: Firefighter use a fire hose during a fire between the villages of Kiotari and Gennadi, on the Greek island of Rhodes. Image Credit: AFP

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On Rhodes, officials from the Greek Foreign Ministry were working at the international airport with several embassies and diplomats who traveled from the U.K. to assist tourists who had lost their travel documents. Above: A fireman gestures and holds a cat and two rabbits after rescuing them from a fire between the villages of Kiotari and Gennadi, on the Greek island of Rhodes. Image Credit: AFP

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The army was also helping to set up temporary accommodations on Rhodes, where schools and sporting facilities were opened to help with the effort. Above: Tourists are sheltered in a sports hall after being evacuated. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A relative respite from the heat on Monday, with highs of 38 C (100 F) forecast, is to be followed by yet more high temperatures starting Tuesday. However, it should get significantly cooler on Thursday, with temperatures in the low- to mid-30s Celsius, the country's Meteorological Service said Sunday evening. Above: Firefighters, volunteers and police officers operate as a wildfire burns near the village of Asklipieio. Image Credit: Reuters

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Photos: Fires rage across parts of Greece as high winds, heat waves continue

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