Egypt to assist Greece fight wildfires with Chinook helicopters

Egypt is set to send three Chinook helicopters to Greece to help in fighting forest fires, the Armed forces of the North African country announced Sunday July 23.

The helicopters are equipped with advanced equipment required to help put out the fires raging in a number of forests in Greece, Egyptian Armed Forces’ Spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez said in a statement.

Gharib Abdel-Hafez indicated that the assistance is a confirmation of the deep historic relations binding Egypt and Greece.

The European country has been grappling with wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes for the past five days, exacerbated by strong winds. Thousands of people, including tourists, have fled the affected villages and beaches close to the areas of Kiotari and Lardos in the southeastern part of the island.

More than 3,500 people have been evacuated by land and sea to safety from homes and hotels on Rhodes after wildfires engulfed large parts of the island.