Wildfires on the Greek Island of Rhodes have sparked the biggest wildfire evacuation operation ever in the country, authorities said on Sunday.
Thousands of people have been evacuated as flames threatened homes and hotels.
"This is the biggest fire evacuation ever in Greece," Konstantia Dimoglidou, Greek police spokeswoman said.
"We had to evacuate an area of 30,000 people. Everything thank God went smoothly. Everybody, especially tourists, followed what we ordered," she added.
After burning for six days, the fires continued to rage with no relief in sight.
UK outbound flights to Rhodes cannceled
Jet2 and holiday group TUI announced on Sunday they would be halting all incoming passenger flights to Rhodes.
"Until Tuesday, no more new tourists will be flown" to the island by the German group, TUI spokesperson Linda Jonczyk said, adding that empty planes were still being flown in to help evacuate the thousands of tourists affected.
The fires were considered under control on Thursday, but strong winds on Saturday drove the flames directly towards villages and holiday resorts.
Some of the evacuated, including tourists, are being accommodated in other hotels, gyms and a conference center.
The area around the holiday resort of Lindos with its famous 4th Century Acropolis was particularly affected.
The weather remains hot in the Mediterranean country on Sunday, temperatures had already reached 38 C (100 F).
Planes, helicopters deployed to fight the blaze
Despite receiving reinforcements, including water bomber planes, firefighters have been struggling to control the blaze. The fire is being fanned by strong winds as the region suffers through a brutal heat wave.
More than 200 firefighters and 40 fire engines were operating on the ground, assisted by three planes and five helicopters, fire department spokesperson Artopios said.
The team also included reinforcements from Slovakia. Israel, Jordan and Turkey have also sent reinforcements.
The wildfire had initially been confined to the island's mountainous central region, but winds, very high temperatures and dry conditions had helped it spread towards the eastern coast.
The fire department has warned of a high risk of further fires breaking out on Rhodes, as well as on the island of Evia and the eastern part of the Greek mainland, on Sunday.
While weather experts predict a brief respite from the heat wave on Monday, they have warned it will likely resume on Tuesday and could last until at least next Friday.
