Greece Rhodes forest fire causing concern in Greece 25/07/08 08:05 CET

A forest fire on the Greek Island of Rhodes is still raging. It is not threatening the island’s tourist areas yet but concerns are growing as firemen have failed to bring the blaze under control in three days. France and Italy are sending their specialist firefighting planes.

Some aged residents in the south of the island have been evacuated as a precaution. Dozens of hectares of pine forests have already been destroyed .

A 61-year-old man has been arrested, accused of starting the fire by negligence.

Meanwhile, firefighters are struggling to contain 66 other fires throughout Greece in a worrying repeat of last year when 77 people lost their lives in forest fires.

Environmental groups have criticised the new Greek government for not doing enough to prevent a repeat of 2007.