Blazes continue to ravage Greek islands

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – Persistent blazes continue to ravage numerous Greek islands, according to media reports.

Thousands of tourists were evacuated from some of the most popular destination islands, daily Kathimerini said.

Firefighters failed to take full control of the wildfires on the island of Rhodes in particular, as new blazes spread on other parts of the island.

The fire on the island of Corfu has also kept burning, with Nikos Mouzakitis, a deputy mayor, reportedly suspecting arson.

Greek and foreign firefighters have been battling the blazes for nine days.

On Tuesday two pilots died when a plane deployed to help put out wildfires on the Greek island of Evia crashed in the coastal town of Karystos.

The Greek Air Force said pilot Hristos Mulas, 34, and co-pilot Periklis Stefanidis, 27, died in the crash.

Several countries, including Türkiye, have reached out to help Greece extinguish the blazes, which have burned houses and forests.​​​​​​​