Corfu and Evia launch evacuations after thousands flee devastating wildfires on Rhodes

Corfu and Evia have become the latest Greek islands to order evacuations, as "nightmare" wildfires sweep through the country. 

On Sunday, people in Corfu's areas of Santa, Megoula, Porta, Palia, Perithia and Sinies were told to leave, with dispatching boats to the scene. 

So far nearly 2,500 have been educated, said a spokesperson for the fire service on Monday. 

Parts of Evia, off central Greece's eastern coast, were also evacuated, with the searing heat showing no signs of letting up. 

Firefighting planes and helicopters have worked tirelessly to tackle the blazes, supported by teams from across Europe. 

The most serious fire was on the island of Rhodes, which burnt for a sixth day on Sunday. 

Some 19,000 have already been forced to leave several locations on the island, Greek authorities said. 

The Ministry of Climate Change and Civil Protection said it was “the largest evacuation from a wildfire in the country.”

Local police said 16,000 people were evacuated by land and 3,000 by sea from 12 villages and several hotels on Rhodes. Six people were briefly treated at a hospital for respiratory problems.

A number of tourists were waiting to fly back home from Rhodes International Airport.

The package holiday companies TUI and Jet2 cancelled flights to the island. But the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport later announced that 14 TUI and Jet2 flights carrying 2,700 passengers would depart from Rhodes Airport by 3 am Monday.

On Saturday and early Sunday, 70,000 passengers travelled through the airport, with some being arrivals, the ministry said. The announcement did not break down the figures by arrivals and departures.

British tourist Kevin Evans was evacuated twice Saturday with his wife and three young children - first from