The fire brigade, local and other emergency agencies have had more than enough to do for just over a week in persistent attempts to try to keep forest fires on the Greek island of Rhodes under reasonable control.
“Unexpected” help also made itself available voluntarily.
Tourists assist
In particular, a photo of two German ladies at a hotel near the Lindos resort who are seen fetching buckets of water from the pool to help put out the fires on Rhodes is garnering attention on a large scale.
The tireless effort has been mentioned by, among others The Telegraph.
Also German Mercury confirms that several tourists have taken part in the firefighting.
Shock rain: – Be prepared
Other tourists have been observed in similar attempts, where, among other things, they fetch and hand over water from the sea to the fire brigade to put out the flames.
Thousands evacuated
Yesterday, Monday 24 July, Dagbladet mentioned that several tens of thousands of people have become evacuated and dispersed to various parts of the roughly 1,400 square kilometer island.
STRONG IMPRESSION: A Greek firefighter on duty in Rhodes tries to quell the flames. Photo: Petros Giannakouris / AP via NTB Show more
The Telegraph also reports that several people have been evacuated from the island.
Already on Saturday, Steinar Kvamme from Notodden claimed that the situation on Rhodes was both chaotic and tragic.
– Challenges
He came out harshly against the travel company TUI and explained to Dagbladet that the organization appeared to be objectionable and not clear.
In an e-mail to Dagbladet on Tuesday 25 July, TUI Norway’s communications manager, Anne Mørk-Løwengreen, states that all their tourists have been transported to safe areas on the island.
Bad news
– TUI has emptied all evacuation centers except one, and is transporting our customers to hotels in northern parts of Rhodes that are not affected by the forest fires. There have been some challenges in moving the customers from the last evacuation center due to roadblocks, she writes.
The communications chief claimed yesterday that the ongoing evacuation is the largest ever in Greek history.
Mørk-Løwengreen also informs that all planned trips to Rhodes until Friday have been cancelled. It is nevertheless gratifying how everything has turned out.
– I am happy that, despite the extraordinary circumstances and a still ongoing crisis, we have now put a good solution in place, the email continues.
Will stay
TUI announced yesterday that extra flights had been deployed to transport passengers away from the island. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a strong warning to Norwegians staying in and around affected areas.
LARGE RESOURCES: Several firefighting aircraft have also actively participated in persistent attempts to limit the spread of flames. Photo: Petros Giannakouris / AP via NTB Show more
Despite warnings and frightening circumstances, by no means everyone seems to be affected to a significant degree.
Opposite The Telegraph the married couple Sue Ball and Dave Cook state that they are extremely happy that they went to the island and chose to stay.
– It doesn’t get much better than this. Especially when the sun goes down and the weather gets a little colder. Life is good, they say, but acknowledge:
– Admittedly, we wouldn’t go back in the summer. It’s a bit warm.
Kristoffer about the forest fire: – Strong smell of smoke
2023-07-25 19:38:15
#Tourist #efforts #attracting #attention
