Greek tourism minister says Rhodes is safe amid ongoing wildfires

Greek tourism minister says Rhodes is safe amid ongoing wildfires

Minister Olga Kefalogianni said on Monday that those planning to head to Rhodes and Corfu should not cancel their plans.

“It’s particularly important to stress only a small part of the island of Rhodes is affected,” Kefalogianni told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“There has been no disruption in the airport.”

“It is the largest evacuation Greece has ever done and it happened in a matter of hours, but everyone is safe.”

She also said that reports stating up to 50 per cent of the island is on fire were inaccurate and that in reality, it is between 10 and 15 per cent.

The entirety of Greece is currently in the midst of a record heat wave, temperatures have exceeded 46 degrees Celsius in some areas.

“According to the data, we will probably go through 16-17 days of a heatwave, which has never happened before in our country,” research director, National Observatory (Greece), Kostas Lagouvardos, told ERT Television.

Australian website SmartTraveller recently updated its warning for Greece, advising, “Normal safety precautions,” the site read.

“Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece, and there are several active wildfires, including on the island of Rhodes.

“Other areas of Greece are under warnings of extreme fire danger, including areas around Athens and the Peloponnese. Monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities.”


Featured Image: Rhodes Fires. (Source: Twitter – @ekathimerini)

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]