Escape from Hell: Tales of Fear in Rhodes Revealed in Marmaris
Evacuations Continue as Forest Fires Reach Residential Areas in Rhodes
After five days of intense forest fires in Rhodes, the flames have now spread to residential areas and hotels, prompting ongoing evacuations. A total of 95 tourists, comprising 59 German, 8 Turkish, 4 Austrian, 2 Bulgarian, 3 Irish, 1 Italian, 4 Dutch, 5 Polish, 5 Russian, 3 Swiss, and 1 Ukrainian citizen, who were on holiday in Rhodes, have been brought to Marmaris Bonded Port by a ferry departing from Rhodes. The tourists will be transported back to their respective countries via buses arranged by the agencies that met them at the port, followed by flights.
One German tourist, upon disembarking from the ferry, stated, “We came because of the fire. There were flames and it was very difficult to breathe. That’s why we wanted to come to Marmaris.” Another German family, who had traveled to Rhodes from Germany for a holiday, shared their experience, saying, “We were staying in a hotel that got evacuated due to the smoke from the fire. The fire was massive, and the flames were dangerously close to our location. Buses were sent to bring us to Rhodes, but due to road closures caused by the fire, the journey took several hours. The beaches were crowded with people. We will be spending the next night in Marmaris.”
A British family, also arriving in Marmaris from Rhodes via ferry, revealed their altered plans: “We came from Manchester to Rhodes on holiday with our family for a few weeks. However, since our hotel was damaged by the fire, we will be spending the remaining six days in a hotel we arranged in Marmaris. Our travel agency arranged our ferry tickets, and after our stay here, we will return to our country by plane from Dalaman.” Salih Kurnaz and his wife, who were on a European tour with their family in Rhodes, explained their situation, stating, “The fire was not on our side; it was completely on the other side. But it was a severe fire. We didn’t see the fire directly, but my wife saw it from the plane. Yesterday, the electricity started to go out, and then the evacuations began.”
Tourists who managed to escape the fires on Rhodes are now waiting for assistance on beaches, carrying their suitcases. As the forest fire on the island enters its sixth day, numerous houses and hotels have been evacuated. Some tourists have flocked to the airport, while others have sought refuge on the beaches, awaiting evacuation by sea.
In a show of support, Turkey has dispatched two firefighting planes and one T70 firefighting helicopter to assist with the efforts in Greece. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı shared images of the Turkish team, stating, “We are on duty for the forests, the common heritage of the world. The two amphibious firefighting aircraft, one T70 firefighting helicopter, and our flight crew, which we have sent to Greece upon President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s instructions, are successfully carrying out their duties. Goodbye Greece.”
The situation in Rhodes remains precarious as authorities work tirelessly to combat the wildfires and ensure the safety of residents and tourists alike.
