Yiorgos Hatzimarkos, the Governor of the South Aegean Region in Rhodes, posted on Facebook that Rhodes is “experiencing a tragedy.”
“The last few days have been among the most difficult for Rhodes. Amid unprecedented climatic conditions, we have an uncontrolled fire, a phenomenon of enormous dimension and intensity.”
He wrote that in the last 48 hours, the largest evacuation operation ever mounted in Greece has evacuated and taken over 25,000 people to safety.
He said that so far, no human life has been lost. “Everyone has been safely transferred to the northern part of the island, which remains unaffected,” wrote Hatzimarkos.
The governor also praised the logistical and operational efforts that have gone into protecting residents and visitors and fighting the fires.
He highlighted the work of the firefighters and volunteers “who are ignoring their insurmountable fatigue, the heat, and a lack of sleep.”
He writes that public places, hotel lobbies, common areas, conference centers, sports venues, restaurants, and supermarkets have opened for evacuees.
“Residents are opening their homes to all and offer φιλοξενία, philoxenia [friend of strangers].
“The whole island is helping wherever, however, and as much as it can,” Governor Hatzimarkos said.
Below is Governor Yiorgos Hatzimarkos Facebook post in English:
48 hours after the start of the largest operation ever mounted in Greece to evacuate more than 25,000 people, we can say that so far human life has been protected. Everyone has been safely transferred to the northern part of the island, which remains unaffected.
There are no words to describe our feelings.
Our island is experiencing a tragedy. The last few days have been among the most difficult for Rhodes. Amid unprecedented climatic conditions, we have an uncontrolled fire, a phenomenon of enormous dimension and intensity.
The Fire Brigade is fighting a difficult situation every blaze, while constantly monitoring the situation across all areas, and making critical decisions on access, or evacuation, all based on the core principle of the safety of residents and visitors.
Administratively, we support their heroic work with heavy machinery, and ensure they do never fall short of fuel, or water. The continue ignoring their insurmountable fatigue, the heat, and a lack of sleep.
As part of the overall logistical aspect of the evacuation, most public places, hotel lobbies and common areas, conference centres, sports venues, restaurants, supermarkets have been activated. Volunteers are all rushing to help, to do all they can.
Residents are opening their homes to all and offer φιλοξενία, philoxenia [friend of strangers]. The whole island is helping wherever, however, and as much as it can.
When this unprecedented crisis ebbs, we will refocus on other critical aspects and we will have more to say on who we recover. For now, though our focus are the fires and lives and we are all on the frontline, as a combined force.
However, amidst the darkness of destruction, are the illuminating rays of solidarity and humanity, they drive our unwavering determination to protect our place. I am confident than that our Rhodes will be beautiful once more. Beauty resides in this island’s soul and no fire can destroy that.
https://www.facebook.com/100044272904139/posts/828430755309347/
