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MORE than 50 people have been trapped on a beach as a wildfire sweeps across the Greek island of Leros.

The blaze broke out at around 12pm in dry grass near the island's main port of Laki before strong winds spread the "uncontrollable" flames to a pine forest.

 A blaze broke out at around 12pm in dry grass near the Leros' main port of Laki
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A blaze broke out at around 12pm in dry grass near the Leros' main port of LakiCredit: Lerosnews.gr
 Reports said more than 50 people were trapped on a beach due to the fire
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Reports said more than 50 people were trapped on a beach due to the fireCredit: Lerosnews.gr

The road leading to the beach was closed, leaving up to 60 people trapped who have since been rescued by boats from the Coast Guard, Leros news reported.

The island's hospital was also evacuated.

Leros has no fire brigade of their own so 8 firefighters were immediately mobilised to the scene from Athens.

They were assisted by the navy, a helicopter flown in from Samos to drop water and volunteers who worked to control the blaze.

The fire spread due to very strong 26mph winds and temperatures of 29C.

Mayor Michalis Kollias said in a statement that authorities were fighting to get the fire under control.

The fire department is also investigating a complaint that the fire started from a cigarette.

No houses were in danger during the blaze.

The first comes just over a month after a seven different fires broke out on the island in the area of ​​Irene Chrysovalantou at the same time.

Officials were investigating whether the fires in grasslands were arson attacks.

Leros is part of the Dodecanese island group, located between Patmos and Kalymnos.

 One tourist in the area captured the thick plumes of smoke from the other side of the island
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One tourist in the area captured the thick plumes of smoke from the other side of the island


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