A state of emergency has gripped the eastern Mediterranean as ferocious wildfires, supercharged by a punishing heatwave, rage across popular tourist destinations in Greece and Turkey. Authorities are battling blazes on multiple fronts, with the situation on the Greek island of Rhodes described as particularly dire.
The Greek government has launched its largest-ever evacuation effort, moving over 2,000 people to safety from villages and hotels on Rhodes. The fire service is fighting to contain the inferno, which has been burning for a fifth consecutive day, threatening homes and critical infrastructure.
'People were terrified, it was like a scene from a war film,' reported one evacuated tourist. 'We had to leave everything and just run towards the beach to be rescued by boats.'
The crisis is not isolated. Neighbouring Turkey is also grappling with intense wildfires, with blazes erupting in the popular resort region of Antalya. Officials there have evacuated several villages and are working tirelessly to bring the flames under control.
A Region Parched and Vulnerable
Meteorologists point to a severe and prolonged heatwave as the primary catalyst. Soaring temperatures, consistently exceeding 40°C (104°F), have turned forests and vegetation into a tinderbox. Strong, unpredictable winds have further complicated firefighting efforts, causing flames to spread with alarming speed.
This Mediterranean crisis is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that scientists increasingly link to the broader global climate emergency. The intense heat and dry conditions create a perfect storm for such devastating wildfires.
Tourism Industry on High Alert
The timing of the fires could not be worse, striking at the peak of the vital summer tourism season. Holiday companies and airlines are monitoring the situation closely. Jet2 and TUI have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes, prioritising repatriation flights to bring holidaymakers home.
Authorities in both countries are urging extreme caution and advising travellers to heed all official warnings and evacuation orders. The priority remains the safety of both residents and visitors as this dramatic environmental disaster continues to unfold.
