Hotels and resorts in one of Greece's top tourist destinations have been evacuated as a wildfire rages on the island.
Rhodes' wildfire was initially confined just to the island's mountainous area, but began spreading on Saturday to the more heavily populated central eastern side after the dangerously-high temperatures and strong winds pushed it east.
Several Brits are stranded as the large blaze on the paradise island is now into its fifth day of burning, with firefighters battling to bring it under control. The fire is one of several to break out in Greece and wider Europe amidst a scorching heatwave which has seen temperatures exceeding the 40C mark. Images show masses of tourists and locals being evacuated with their suitcases as ominous, thick orange smoke circles the sky.
Texts were sent to residents in four localities, including Kiotari and Lardo, urging them to evacuate, fire service spokesman Yanni Artopios said on Saturday afternoon, while 200 firefighters continue to fight the flames The Mirror reports.
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According to local media on the island, three hotels on the island have been evacuated after the wildfire reached the premises while boats have been sent to pick up people from two beaches.
Some 40 fire engines are at the scenes while three planes and five helicopters were also being used to assist in the emergency. Beaches were also evacuated, with four vessels from the coastguard and army used to bring beachgoers to safety.
One British woman, Becky Mulligan who is staying on the island with her sister and daughter told the BBC she was stuck in a beach shack with hundreds of others in the searing heat.
She said: "There's just a small shack here and there's so many of us, There's children, it's the middle of the day, we are just stuck here with no help, it's disgusting."
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James Hall, a British tourist currently holidaying on the island, said he and many others had to drag their suitcases for "two hours" in the 40C heat after being sent the warning text from Greek authorities.
Mr Hall told Sky News: "After the two hour walk we took refuge in a hotel. If we see any fire on a nearby hilltop we'll have to evacuate again."
He added: "If you were in a wheelchair the chances of you getting out in a timely manner were pretty much nil. There was very little help."
Angry holidaymakers have also hit out at different airlines, saying they have heard nothing about emergency flight arrangements. Paul Karlburgi, describing the scene, wrote on Twitter: "Currently stranded in #Rhodes escaping the wildfires on foot – left everything at the hotel and fled with towels across our faces. My youngest just told me he doesn't want to die. No news from any authorities. Terrifying situation here."
While one of several active wildfires in Greece at the moment, the blaze in Rhodes was the most dangerous, Mr Artopios added. The blaze near Kiotari in Rhodes was just one, the most dangerous, of several active across Greece, Mr Artopios said.
The fire northwest of Athens and one near Sparta were subsiding, he said, although the conditions, including temperatures set to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday and low humidity (below 15%), mean that the danger is not over and more wildfires might break out.
The Fire Service has designated almost the whole eastern part of the mainland, plus the islands of Evia and Rhodes as well as large swaths of the southwest, as Category 5, the highest for the risk of fire outbreaks Sunday.
A further good chunk of the country has been designated Category 4, very high risk. There will be a brief respite in the heatwave Monday, but it will resume Tuesday and could last until at least Friday, meteorologists have warned.
Firefighting forces from eight European Union countries are either operating or due to arrive soon, Artopios said. Israel, Jordan and Turkey have also sent reinforcements, mostly aerial equipment. Meteorologists have warned this weekend could become Greece's hottest in July for 50 years, as temperatures are expected to hit 45C.
The Cerberus heatwave has blighted several countries in Europe, including Italy and Croatia, over recent days, bringing intense heat which has seen residents taking cover indoors and even forced on British couple to abandon their Greek holiday due to unbearable heat.
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