Plane Fighting Wildfires in Greece Crashes, Thousands Evacuated from Island of Rhodes
(Associated Press) – A plane engaged in firefighting operations in Greece crashed on Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of thousands of tourists from the island of Rhodes. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned that tough days lie ahead as the fires continue to destroy homes. The incident occurred as wildfires ravaged the island and forced hundreds of people to flee.
Video footage from state broadcaster ERT displayed the plane dropping water over a fire before crashing into a hillside and engulfing in flames. The Greek air force confirmed that two airmen were on board the Canadair CL-215 amphibious aircraft when it crashed over the island of Evia, east of Athens. Helicopters were dispatched to the crash site to conduct a search and rescue mission, but no further information regarding the fate of the airmen has been provided.
Firefighters, along with assistance from Turkey and Slovakia, have been battling the blazes on Rhodes since last Wednesday. The fires intensified in hot and windy conditions. Emergency flights are in progress to ensure the safe return of tourists who were vacationing on the island.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis acknowledged the difficulties that lie ahead, stating that conditions may improve after Thursday. He emphasized the global challenge posed by climate change, stating that there is no magical defense mechanism in the face of extreme weather events.
An investigation into the cause of the fires, as well as the preparedness and response of authorities, has been launched by a prosecutor on the island of Rhodes. According to state broadcaster ERT, approximately 10% of the island’s land area has been consumed by the fires.
Residents and tourists have experienced the devastating impact of the fires firsthand. Lefteris Laoudikos, whose family owns a small hotel in the town of Kiotari, recalled the events on Saturday when he predicted that the wind and absence of planes would result in widespread destruction. His father, refusing to leave, saved their hotel from the flames. The island’s mayor described the ongoing situation as an “unprecedented ordeal.”
Fires have also been reported on the island of Corfu. Greece has faced extremely high temperatures in recent weeks, and forecasts predict temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas on Wednesday.
The tourism industry, which accounts for 18% of Greece’s economic output and one in five jobs, is heavily impacted by the fires. Tour operators, including TUI, have canceled flights to Rhodes. Efforts to restart tourism on the island will be crucial to the recovery.
As Greece confronts this emergency, experts have highlighted the significant role that human-induced climate change has played in the recent heatwaves across various regions, including southern Europe. While Greece has become more proactive in evacuations following the tragic 2018 Mati fire, criticism remains regarding the country’s ability to effectively extinguish such fires.
The combination of Greece’s reliance on tourism and the devastating impact of the wildfires underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address climate change and enhance fire response capabilities.
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AP News: Plane Fighting Wildfires in Greece Crashes, Thousands Evacuated from Island of Rhodes
