Greece: Wildfires on Corfu started by arsonists, officials claim

A wildfire on the Greek island of Corfu was the result of arson, local officials have claimed.

Dangerously hot temperatures in Europe are causing havoc in some Greek islands in particular, with 19,000 people being evacuated from the island of Rhodes amid major wildfires.

People on Rhodes were forced to sleep in the airport, in sports halls and even on the street after hotels were closed and homes evacuated.

On Sunday, parts of Corfu were also evacuated after wildfires, with officials saying nearly 2,500 people were forced to leave their homes.

Boats were dispatched to rescue residents by sea. However, no hotels have yet been affected, officials said.

Watch: British couple tell of "nightmare" on Rhodes

On Monday, a local official claimed the fires on Corfu were started by arsonists.

Giorgos Mahimaris, the mayor of North Corfu, told the state news agency APA-MPA that the fire was the result of arson.

He said he made the assessment after visiting three locations where fires broke out on Mount Pantokratoras. He said no properties were damaged in the blaze, which was attended by two helicopters and two firefighting planes.

Theofanis Skembris, deputy mayor of North Corfu, told the BBC the fire service believes the blazes were arson.

"There were four fires that started simultaneously," he said.

"We have to wait for the investigation, but their first unofficial assumption is that it was arson - fires can't start simultaneously in four different places.

"The situation in the island is better now. Most of the fires are under control. There are firefighting airplanes helping. I believe that everything will be over soon."

Read more: Exhausted tourists pictured at airport after fleeing blaze

Chariton Koutscouris, Corfu's deputy mayor for tourism and construction, said the fires on the island were down to a "group of people".

He told the BBC: "They get pleasure out of this with the pain of the other people."

He said officials had a "suspicion" fires would be started this weekend, after they were warned on Friday by a fire service chief that someone who started two fires last week would try it again.

It follows speculation that the wildfire on Rhodes was the result of arson.

Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, from the Rhodes Fire Department, told the Daily Mirror on Sunday: "Fires are set by human hands.

"Whether it is due to negligence or fraud will be seen. 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."

Up to 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on Rhodes, with repatriation flights to rescue holidaymakers landing back in the UK.

Britons forced to sleep with hundreds of others at the airport, in schools and sport centres.

They have criticised travel firms for the lack of information about the wildfires.

On Monday, travel operator Tui confirmed that holidaymakers returned to the UK on “three dedicated flights” overnight, with plans to bring more back “as soon as possible” in place.

Jet2 said a repatriation flight, carrying 95 passengers, landed at Leeds Bradford Airport on Sunday evening, before another three leave the island later on Monday.

Foreign Office junior minister Andrew Mitchell said it is “peak holiday season”, with between 7,000 and 10,000 Britons estimated to be on the island.

Airline easyJet will operate two flights totalling 421 seats on Monday and a third on Tuesday, in addition to its nine scheduled flights to the Greek island.

Jet2 announced that hundreds will be repatriated via three separate flights to Manchester, Leeds Bradford and Birmingham later in the evening, in addition to more than 50 scheduled flights.

Meanwhile, a Foreign Office spokesman confirmed a Rapid Deployment Team has arrived on Rhodes to support travel operators in bringing Britons home.

The wildfire had been confined to the island’s mountainous centre but, aided by winds, very high temperatures and dry conditions, it spread towards the coast on the island’s central-eastern side.

In a statement, Tui said: “We appreciate how distressing and difficult it’s been for those who have been evacuated and ask that they continue to follow the advice of the local authorities and keep in touch with the Tui reps who are present in all evacuation centres."

Watch: First flights rescue British holidaymakers fleeing Rhodes wildfires