23 July 2023 , 15:13
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The fires that have engulfed the Greek island of Rhodes may have been started on purpose, firefighters believe.
Families are continuing to flee the tourist hot-spot as flames rips through areas, causing warzone-like conditions this weekend as officials warn things could worsen.
Emergency services continue to work away in the intense 42 degree heat with travellers describing the scenes as "hell on earth".
Officials say there are early indications of arson as a police investigation is launched into the horrific wildfires.
Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, from the Rhodes Fire Department, told reporters that the blistering heatwave may not be to blame for the heartbreaking blaze.
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Follow along for the latest news on the Rhodes wildfires here
Thousands of people on the Greek island have been displaced and hundreds evacuated by boat (Eurokinissi/AFP via Getty Images)He said: "Fires are set by human hands. Whether it is due to negligence or fraud will be seen (but) people have been summoned for statements and others will be summoned.
"As soon as we have complete information - because the investigation is in full swing, we will make announcements."
Thousands of people on the have been displaced and hundreds evacuated by boat as a wildfire which started five days ago continues to burn.
The total number of people evacuated or redirected due to the ongoing blaze is nearing 20,000, the Greek government has confirmed.
Firefighters try to extinguish wildfires in Asklipio village today (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)A member of the public captured the latest video from the island which shows two planes dropping hundreds of gallons of water across an affected area.
High winds forecast throughout Sunday have further hamper firefighters.
They yesterday warned the battle to contain the flames, raging in the middle of peak tourism season, is likely to take several days.
Konstantia Dimoglidou, a Greek police spokeswoman, said: "This is the biggest fire evacuation ever in Greece.
"Everything thank God went smoothly. Everybody, especially tourists, followed what we ordered."
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Much to the confusion of people on the ground, numerous flights packed with Brit tourists are still heading to the island today - with easyJet saying they are currently operating services 'as normal'.
The Foreign Office has advised travellers in the country affected by wildfires to follow the guidance from emergency services.
The British ambassador to Greece said a "rapid deployment team" had been sent to help the tourists.
A firefighting aircraft drops water to extinguish a wildfire (DAMIANIDIS LEFTERIS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)A British hotel owner on the island has told of the utter chaos and panic caused by the blaze and says she fears for the safety of her own family.
Rhodes Hotel owner Victoria Chantelle Kilby, 35, told the Daily Star: "I don’t want to go to sleep because I’m scared. If the wind changes direction and the fire gets closer whilst we are sleeping how do I get my babies out?
"This is bad as most of the people's hotels have been evacuated and have nowhere to sleep. “
Everywhere is fully booked – I own a hotel and some rooms and I have a family of eight staying at my apartment with only one bed. It’s better than sleeping rough, but with no water or electric.
“We are fully booked but we have offered people to come use sun beds and sleep by the pool, and we are offering water and blankets and anything we can."