As out-of-control fires destroy homes in Greece and force the evacuation of thousands of tourists from the island of Rhodes, a Canadair firefighting plane has crashed over the island of Evia, east of Athens.

The amphibious CL-215 had no ejection system.

The plane had dropped water over a fire before going down into a hillside.

Fires have raged on Rhodes since last Wednesday.

More emergency flights were due to take vacationers home.

Tourism accounts for 18% of Greece’s economy and one-in-five jobs.

On Rhodes and many other Greek islands, reliance on tourism is even greater.