Greek-born Adelaide couple, Steve Toumbas and Gianna Spanos, currently in Rhodes, said they’re doing “it pretty tough”.

“We came to this beautiful island that we love, and I was born here, and we came here to experience the most saddest thing in my life,” Toumbas said on Today.

Greek-born Adelaide couple, Steve Toumbas Gianna Spanos, currently in Rhodes, said they’re doing “it pretty tough”. (Today)

“Unfortunately 70 per cent of this beautiful Greek island, it has been burnt.

“So we are doing it pretty tough at the moment.”

Toumbas said though scenes are heartbreaking to watch, the Greek community has banded together to support one another.

Flames burn a tree in Vati village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

“The community, it has been sad all together,” he said.

“They stick with each other.

“They have been doing the right thing, trying to put all these fires out.

Greece fires
Tourists are sheltered in a sports hall after being evacuated. (REUTERS)

“And they have been extremely hospitable, look after all the tourists, like me.”

As the fires crept closer to the couple’s accommodation, the Aussies were forced to evacuate overnight.

“Last night we have been evacuated because the fire, it was only two kilometres away from our village and then we went about five kilometres away and stayed at the next village,” Toumbas said.

“But at the moment our village is doing quite well.

“But the village next to us, which is Malona, at the moment they are there, people there are suffering.”

Flames burn a forest in Vati village, on the Aegean Sea island of Rhodes. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Greece fires

Thousands flee as Greece burns in scorching summer

Spanos said witnessing the fires ravage the region had reduced her to tears.

“I’m very sad. I was crying,” she said.

“Because we toured the island with Steve and everything was green last week and today the 70 per cent is burnt.

“Our house is outside, our table and chair filled with ashes and the people here tonight are still waiting.

“They are trying to water the fire and they will stay all night but they have water, they have food, they have chairs to sit but they are keeping an eye on fires.”

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