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Intense forest fires keep the island of Rhodes in suspense: according to the Greek government, 20,000 people have been brought to safety since Saturday. Schrunser’s 23-year-old Julia Pozarnik also had to flee the flames in Rhodes with her mother Petra.
07.23.2023 02.18
Online since today, 18:02
Schrunser’s 23-year-old Julia Pozarnik is also in Rhodes with her mother. They were on vacation in the city of Kiotari. In a Skype interview with ORF Vorarlberg, she talks about the evacuation and the chaos that reigns there. After initially not knowing where they will spend the next night, they have now found accommodation in a hotel in the city of Rhodes and are waiting for the flight on Tuesday, which should take them home.
Photo series with 4 photos
Julia Pozarnik’s impressions of the evacuation
Julia Pozarnik
Julia Pozarnik The flames got closer and closer
Julia Pozarnik The ashes turned the sea black
It is currently unclear how many other Vorarlberg tourists are affected.
Rhodes: Vorarlberg woman talks about evacuation
Bushfires on the Greek island of Rhodes have continued to spread and one of the biggest evacuation campaigns ever undertaken has been under way since Saturday. About 20,000 tourists from hotels are rescued from the flames. Among them is Julia Pozarnik from Vorarlberg. In “Vorarlberg today” she talks about the current situation.
TUI suspends flights to Rhodes
German travel operator TUI no longer wants to bring tourists to the wildfire-affected island of Rhodes in the coming days. Some flights are still planned but are not expected to transport people to Rhodes but are expected to bring tourists back from there, a spokeswoman for the tour group told the AFP news agency on Sunday. No new guests would fly into Rhodes until Tuesday.
20,000 people were brought to safety
According to initial police estimates, 16,000 people were brought to safety by land and 3,000 by sea from the beaches. As a precaution, twelve villages and all hotels in the affected regions were evacuated. The region around the seaside resort of Lindos, with its famous acropolis, much appreciated by tourists, was particularly affected.
“The Largest Evacuation Operation in History”
According to the police, it is the “largest evacuation operation” ever carried out in Greece. Collection points as well as mattresses and food have been arranged for affected travelers – more on ORF.at.
Ministry refer to the Greek contact number
How many Austrian tourists were affected was unclear as of Sunday afternoon. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website provides a contact number for the Greek government. Travelers in need of assistance with evacuation should therefore call +30 210 3681730. In case of immediate danger, the Greek emergency number 112 should be dialed.