LAHORE Mirror — A plane engaged in firefighting operations in Greece crashed on Tuesday, adding to the challenges posed by devastating blazes that have destroyed homes and prompted the evacuation of thousands of tourists from Rhodes Island.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of tough days ahead as wildfires continued to rage across the region.
The fire brigade did not provide further details about the crash, but state broadcaster ERT aired footage of the plane dropping water over a fire before crashing into a hillside and bursting into flames. The accident occurred over the town of Karystos on the island of Evia, east of Athens.
Hundreds of firefighters, with assistance from Turkey and Slovakia, were battling the persistent blazes that had been burning on Rhodes Island since Wednesday, intensifying under hot and windy conditions. More emergency flights were scheduled to evacuate holidaymakers.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and expressed hope that conditions might improve after Thursday. He highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, which has contributed to extreme heatwaves across various regions, including the Mediterranean.
In response to the fires, a prosecutor on Rhodes launched an investigation into their causes, as well as the preparedness and response of authorities. Approximately 10% of the island’s land area had been affected.
Lefteris Laoudikos, who owns a small hotel in Kiotari, a seaside resort town hit hard by the fire, recounted the evacuation of 200 guests from various countries. Some hotel staff risked their lives to combat the flames, saving the property.
Tourism is a significant economic contributor for Greece, accounting for 18% of the country’s output and one in five jobs. Rhodes, a popular summer destination attracting around 1.5 million foreign tourists, heavily relies on tourism revenue.
As the wildfires continued to spread and threaten coastal resorts, tourists and residents faced an unprecedented ordeal. The island’s mayor shared the gravity of the situation on social media.
The intense heatwave in Greece, with temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 degrees Fahrenheit), exacerbated the fire’s impact. Tour operators, such as TUI, suspended flights to Rhodes, and thousands of holidaymakers were evacuated.
While Greece has implemented proactive evacuation measures since the tragic 2018 fire in Mati, east of Athens, criticisms remain about the country’s firefighting capabilities during such intense heatwaves.
As the situation remains critical, efforts to combat the wildfires and restore tourism on Rhodes are of utmost importance for the island’s residents and economy.
Source: Reuters
