Firefighters have said there were “early indications of arson”
Major forest fires that have forced families to flee Rhodes may have been started deliberately. The blistering heatwave may not be to blame for flames ripping through the tourist hot-spot as officials said there were “early indications of arson”.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and hotels as the wildfires engulfed the Greek island. Major airlines Jet2 and TUI have stopped flying holidaymakers out there, instead only sending out empty aircraft to bring people back.
Emergency services are continuing to work in intense 42 degree heat, with an investigation into the cause said to be “in full swing”.
Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, from the Rhodes Fire Department, said: “Fires are set by human hands. Whether it is due to negligence or fraud will be seen (but) people have been summoned for statements and others will be summoned. As soon as we have complete information – because the investigation is in full swing, we will make announcements.”