'The risk of fire will be extreme': New evacuations ordered in Greece

19,000 people, mostly tourists, were moved out of the path of the fire in Rhodes over the weekend 

Tourists are being evacuated during a forest fire on the island of Rhodes, Greece, Saturday, July 22, 2023. Picture: Rodos via AP

A week-long wildfire on the Greek island of Rhodes has torn past defences, forcing more evacuations, as three blazes rage elsewhere in the country fuelled by strong winds and successive heatwaves.

The latest evacuations were ordered in south Rhodes on Monday after 19,000 people, mostly tourists, were moved in buses and boats over the weekend out of the path of the fire that reached several coastal areas from nearby mountains.