Clémentine Athanasiadis, edited by Loane Nader // photo credit: Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP
In Greece, fires caused by the heat wave have already burned more than 35,000 hectares of forest. On the island of Rhodes, villages, vacation homes and other hotels had to be evacuated because of the spread of flames. More than 20,000 people have notably been sheltered on the very touristic island.
In Greece, forests, homes and seaside resorts have been ravaged by fires for a few days, causing the evacuation of thousands of people on the island of Rhodes. Many facilities have opened their doors to these people without a housing solution, including seven schools. Europe 1 went to a school transformed into an emergency reception center, where the staff of the establishment, accompanied by several volunteers, come to the aid of tourists who have fled the flames. Inflatable mattresses and camp beds make comfort basic, but the essential is to have a roof for the night.
“Solidarity is the most important”
In three days, the place welcomed more than 600 people, as explained by Marios Xatzimixalis, the principal of the establishment. “Obviously, we responded immediately positively. It could not have been otherwise. We really wanted to bring this help, like all the rest of the island. Solidarity is the most important”, he supports. Thea, 12 years old, is a student at this school and also wanted to come and lend a hand. “I help a little with cleaning, for example. To eat too, help people and a little help in everything I can.”
Meghan, an Irish tourist, enjoys the air conditioning in the gymnasium. After her hasty evacuation over the weekend, along with her family, the 23-year-old and her family are still in shock, but relieved to be safe. “I found that the Greeks were so supportive of us. There was food, things to sleep on…”. Like the other tourists present in the school, Meghan remains hopeful of taking a flight in the coming days to leave this island still in the grip of flames.