Tourists evacuated off holiday island after fires
Saturday, 26 Jul 2008 11:00
The fires broke out on Greece's island of Rhodes
Many British tourists are being evacuated off Greece's popular tourist destination Rhodes as forest fires rage on the island.
France, Italy and Cyprus have sent aircraft and helicopters with equipment to douse the fires which usually flare up in summer. A total of over 2,000 tourists have been moved from the area as a precautionary measure, according to police.
Regional governor of the southern Aegean Haralambos Kokkinos said: "Three hotels were evacuated as a precaution, mainly because smoke from the fire had created an unpleasant atmosphere.
"The evacuation was orderly and there were no problems. The tourists were taken to the nearby coast and will remain there until the smoke clears," he added.
The blazes across the area have damaged many homes in the village of Laerma and have also caused major disruptions to transport in the area.
A highway to the capital of Athens was closed and rail services were also partially suspended.
Last year, similar fires in the country killed over 60 people and raised questions over the speed of the government response to the blazes.