23 July 2023 , 18:16
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Trapped holidaymakers are pictured packed into a sports arena converted into a makeshift shelter in Rhodes as the island battles raging wildfires forcing thousands to flee.
Pictures show children lying on matts on the floor and hundreds of tourists crammed into a large hall on the Greek island, with some lying on the bare floor or using inflatable rings for comfort.
It comes as the Greek government announces over 19,000 people have been evacuated from Rhodes, as major wildfires cloud the skies in a situation described by Greece’s fire service as “a mess”.
People of all ages are being sheltered in the sports arena, finding ways to pass the time amidst the chaos taking place on the island.
Holiday goers are chatting, sleeping, playing cards, or sitting looking glum on the floor of the large hall. One British tourist said that escaping the wildfires felt like “the end of the world”.
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Tourists and residents are resting in Venetokleio sports Arena (DAMIANIDIS LEFTERIS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)More photos show tourists packing out the airports in desperate bids to flee the island, as part of what the Greek government has described as its “largest ever” wildfire evacuation.
One image shows a man and woman sharing a thin single mat, reading their books partially undressed in a bid to keep cool - temperatures in Rhodes have reached a blistering 39C, and look set to stay around the 36C mark until Wednesday.
The fires started in a mountainous area on Tuesday, but it wasn’t until a break of winds on Saturday that it grew and began to reach tourist areas, according to Rhodes deputy mayor Konstantinos Taraslias.
Tourists play cards as they wait in the airport's departure hall (AFP via Getty Images)Firefighters arrived from Slovakia to assist local teams, describing the situation as “serious and extremely difficult”.
“Due to the strong wind and quickly changing direction of the fire, firefighters had to withdraw and move,” Slovak Fire and Rescue Services said on Facebook.
It has culminated in apocalyptic orange clouds descending around the island, adding to the sense of chaos and confusion. One picture shows the shell of a car which has been burnt to a crisp by the fires.
Tourists sit inside a stadium following their evacuation (AP)An investigation is even taking place into possible ‘indications of arson’, according to fire service officials on the island.
Rhodes Fire Department representative Vassilis Vathrakogiannis told reporters: "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."
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The gutted remains of cars lie on a road (AP)British tourist Andrea Layfield told the BBC she had been on a boat trip "but it was getting really scary.
“We were asking to go back so they got us and then said they couldn't go any further so we would have to wait on the beach for a while.”
"As we waited the fire was coming down the beach but the beach was a dead end," she said, adding that hundreds of people were running."
Tourists rest as they wait in the airport's departure hall as evacuations are underway (AFP via Getty Images)A boat arrived taking only women and children, and Andrea "scrambled under somebody's legs" to get on.
HM Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge said on social media: "Since the wildfires situation deteriorated yesterday, UK in Greece has been working with the Greek authorities, airlines and tour operators to support UK nationals on Rhodes."
"A rapid deployment team from FCDO is on its way."