Mass Evacuation and Tourist Exodus as Wildfires Ravage Rhodes, Greece

Approximately 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continue to burn for a sixth day, marking the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country. Tourists were among those evacuated, with package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 canceling flights to Rhodes. The evacuation was described as hasty and panicked, but authorities have stated that the abandoned hotels are in better condition than reported. More than 250 firefighters, along with firefighting planes and helicopters from the European Union, are working to contain the fires. Fires have also broken out in other parts of Greece, including the island of Evia. The country is experiencing high temperatures and is at a high risk for fire outbreaks.