A government official has said 19,000 people had been evacuated after fires broke out on the Greek island of Rhodes last week.
19,000 people - both tourists and island residents - have been moved from their homes and hotels.A wildfire which has raged on the Greek island of Rhodes for six days 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.
Many fled their hotels when huge flames reached the seaside villages of Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefki, Lindos, Lardos and Kalathos. Large groups gathered in the streets under a smoke-filled red sky waiting to be taken to safety. Fires are common in Greece but hotter, drier and windy summers have brought more of them in recent years. Climate change means heatwaves will becomeOn Rhodes, the evacuees, including residents from the villages, were housed at hotels, indoor stadiums, conference centers and school buildings, fire brigade spokesman Ioannis Artopoios told Skai radio.
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