A briefing from Ioannis Artopias, the deputy spokesman for the Greek fire service, indicated that more than 2,000 people had been evacuated from Rhodes island as a result of the ongoing forest fires. The information was shared as part of a regular update, reflecting the scale of the emergency and the rapid response by local authorities. The situation has drawn attention to the swift measures taken to protect residents and visitors alike, with authorities coordinating evacuations and relief efforts as the fire crept toward populated areas along the coastline.
Artopias confirmed that the blaze reached the coastal zone around Kiotari, a development that prompted authorities to increase monitoring and implement protective actions for nearby communities. The evacuation of residents from Asklipio and Kiotari was ordered, and the official tally indicated that around 112 evacuation orders had been issued in the area as part of contingency plans designed to minimize risk to civilians. While some hotels in the region were temporarily affected by the need to relocate guests, the evacuation of hotel properties proceeded with careful planning, and it is estimated that more than two thousand people were rescued by sea as part of the organized shuttling operations. Officials stressed that preventive evacuations today in Rhodes affected a minority of the island’s tourism footprint, estimated at fewer than ten percent of the island’s tourist sites.
The deputy fire service representative also highlighted that the fire hazard remained elevated in multiple regions of the country, including Attica, Euboea, Larisa, Argolis, Corinthia, and Messinia. He noted that the risk of fire was still very high in other parts of Greece, underscoring the need for continued vigilance, rapid response, and protective measures across the nation as crews battled flames and safeguarding operations continued.
In a related discussion, former Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos had stated that extinguishing fires would be more effective with the use of heavy airlift resources, including the Be-200 amphibious aircraft from Russia. The comment touched on international assistance options and sparked debate about the role of foreign aircraft in Greece’s firefighting efforts. The discussion also touched on broader considerations of regional cooperation and the practical realities of deploying specialized aerial support during large-scale wildfires. The emphasis remained on coordinating all available assets to defend populated areas, protect critical infrastructure, and support emergency responders on the ground.
In the broader context, officials and observers noted that Greece continues to face seasonal fire threats that require a combination of rapid evacuations, robust ground operations, and strategic use of aerial support. The events in Rhodes illustrate how authorities balance safety, tourism interests, and regional cooperation while keeping communities informed and prepared for evolving conditions. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing assessments to guide further protective actions and ensure that residents and visitors receive timely, accurate updates about any changes to evacuation orders or firefighting operations.