19,000 evacuated from Rhodes due to fires

(Patria) - Around 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes where fires continue to rage for the sixth day, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection announced.

Although there are no reported casualties, six people have been hospitalized with respiratory problems.

As many as 266 firefighters and 49 fire trucks were on the ground fighting the fires, with the help of five helicopters and ten planes.

It is expected that 15 more fire trucks will join the firefighting efforts during the day.

The ministry added that firefighting teams from Slovakia, Turkey, France, and Croatia are also on the island.

Meanwhile, Europe's largest tour operator TUI Group has canceled flights and holiday bookings to the Greek island until Tuesday.

Footage shared on social media shows many tourist groups waiting to be contacted by their airlines or tour operators to return to their countries.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Twitter that it will establish a help desk at Rhodes International Airport to facilitate the departure of visitors in cooperation with relevant embassies.