Greek Coast Guard vessels on Saturday evacuated hundreds of tourists and locals trapped in seaside villages on Rhodes that were threatened by five-day-old wildfires, moving them to safer parts of the island.
A Greek Navy warship was en route to join the five Greek Coast Guard vessels and two army boats that were being aided by 30 private vessels in the area, according to a Coast Guard statement.
A Coast Guard spokesman, Nikos Alexiou, said around 2,000 people had been evacuated by sea from southeastern Rhodes.
“Most have been rescued but the operation is continuing,” he told Greek television, adding that Coast Guard boats were patrolling the area, along with a helicopter.
Thousands more people on Rhodes were evacuated over land to other parts of the island.
Persons:
Nikos Alexiou, “, ”, George Hatzimarkos
Organizations:
Guard, Greek Navy, Greek Coast Guard, Coast Guard
Locations:
Rhodes