The Greek Island of Rhodes has been engulfed in wildfires, leading to the cancellation of holidays and the stranding of tourists. The fires began last Wednesday and are still raging, forcing over 19,000 people to evacuate as of Sunday. Repatriation flights to the UK have started landing and will continue today. Approximately 10,000 Britons are estimated to be on the island, with 30,000 more expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
The fires are located near the village of Laerma, stretching from the center to the eastern and southeastern coast of Rhodes. The affected areas include Kiotari, a resort town. Satellite images from NASA FIRMS show the extent of the fires, with built-up areas marked in pink and fires in red.
Tourists have shared their traumatic experiences of fleeing the fires. Rob Sladden described his ordeal of being told to evacuate by hotel staff and having to walk across the beach in scorching heat, carrying their belongings. He stated that there was a lack of information and guidance from officials, and they had to rely on their instincts to stay ahead of the fires.
The wildfires have also affected nearby townships, including Genadi, Vatican, Kalathos, Masari, and Malonas, with residents being advised to evacuate to the northern parts of the island.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises anyone planning to travel to Rhodes to check with their travel operator or hotel for updates. Those currently on the island should contact their travel operators for assistance in returning to the UK. Rhodes is not on the FCDO’s red list, which means travel is not advised against, but travelers are urged to follow the guidance of emergency services.
Some travel companies have canceled flights and holidays to Rhodes, offering full refunds or the option to change the departure date. However, other companies, such as Ryanair and British Airways, are still operating flights to the island.
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