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July 25th, 2008
Posted: 05:39 PM ET
ATHENS (CNN) –Greek police on Friday evacuated more than 2,000 European vacationers from a strip of holiday resorts on Rhodes as fierce forest fires swept through the Greek island and thick plumes of smoke choked its most popular hotels Authorities said the evacuation was a precaution as fires raged for a fourth day, scorching at least 7,400 acres of lush pine forest on one of the country’s most idyllic islands. Police said the evacuation affected hotels in the Asklipios area, near the southeast coastline of Rhodes, a popular holiday destination for British tourists. “Three hotels were evacuated as a precaution, mainly because smoke from the fire had created an unpleasant atmosphere,” said Charlambos Kokkinos, regional governor for the southern Aegean. The officials declared southern Rhodes in a state of emergency earlier this week when the fires broke out and quickly swept through the island because of gale force winds. Dozens of homes were destroyed in Laerma, the worst hit region, state media reported. No injuries or fatalities were reported. |
 
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