ATHENS: Authorities on the Greek island of Rhodes said Saturday they have evacuated 30,000 people at risk from wildfires, including 2,000 who were rescued by boat from the beach.
According to AFP, tourists and some locals are being taken to gyms, schools and hotel conference centers on the island, where they will stay overnight while firefighters battle the blaze.
George Hadjimarkos, the regional governor of South Aegean, told Sky television that the operation, which is still ongoing, has blocked some road access to the blaze.
A Rhodes Municipality official said members of the coastguard, armed forces and local authority workers used dozens of buses to help move people away from the fire.