ATHENS, July 23 (Reuters) - A wildfire raging on the Greek island of Rhodes forced thousands of tourists and island residents to shelter in schools and indoor stadiums on Sunday after they were evacuated from coastal villages and resorts.
One government official told Reuters 19,000 people had been moved away from their homes and hotels, 3,000 of them by boat.
Large groups gathered in the streets under a red sky waiting to be taken to safety.
"We have between 4,000 and 5,000 people now accommodated at different structures," Thanasis Virinis, a vice mayor of Rhodes told Mega television on Sunday, calling for donations of essentials such as mattresses and bedclothes.
"Customers currently in Rhodes will return on their intended flight home", it sad in a statement.
Persons:
Amy Leyden, Leyden, Rhodes, Ioannis Artopoios, Jet2, TUI, Renee Maltezou, Elizabeth Piper, Frank Jack Daniel, Frances Kerry
Organizations:
Correndon, Reuters, Sky News, Volunteers, Mega, Firefighters, World Meteorological Organization, Thomson
Locations:
ATHENS, Rhodes, TUI, Greece, Kiotari, Lindos, Southern Europe