Officials have claimed that the wildfires in Corfu was done by arsonists because fires “started simultaneously” in the north.

Giorgos Mahimaris, the mayor of North Corfu, told the state news agency APA-MPA that the fire was started by arsonists.

Speaking to the BBC, Theofanis Skembris, deputy mayor of North Corfu said the fire service believes the fires are an act of arson.

He said, “There were four fires that started simultaneously.

“We have to wait for the investigation, but their first unofficial assumption is that it was arson – fires can’t start simultaneously in four different places.

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“The situation in the island is better now. Most of the fires are under control. There are firefighting airplanes helping.

“I believe that everything will be over soon.”

Chariton Koutscouris, Corfu’s deputy mayor for tourism and construction, also claimed that the wildfires are down to a “group of people.”

He told the BBC, “They get pleasure out of this with the pain of the other people.”

Stop blaming the climate change!
The wildfires in Rhodes and Corfu are caused by people intentionally or unintentionally. Ask anyone in Greece.
A single cigarette on dry grass and you have fire. Helped by the wind and you have the scenes below. pic.twitter.com/q4Snw1XSXM

— Tony (@TonyL_01) July 24, 2023

There has also been a lot of “suspicion” that the wildfires on the Greek Island of Rhodes were also started by arsonists.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, from the Rhodes Fire Department, he said, “Fires are set by human hands.

“Whether it is due to negligence or fraud will be seen. People have been summoned for statements and others will be summoned.

“As soon as we have complete information – because the investigation is in full swing, we will make announcements.”

On Sunday the Greek government confirmed as of 10am UK time on Sunday that 19,000 people had been evacuated from Rhodes or were redirected due to the wildfires.

3,000 of those were evacuated by sea and 16,000 by land out of the 19,000 the government confirmed.

Officials warned the situation could get worse on Sunday as the mercury is set to hit highs of 45C which could cause more wildfires on the island, and meteorologists have said the current temperatures could last until the end of this month.